Legally Establishing an Existing Parent-Child Relationship
As a stepparent, you may be bonding or have already bonded with your stepchild. Stepparent adoption simply establishes your existing parent-child relationship so that it is legally recognized. Uniting a family through stepparent adoption can be a joyous occasion. If you and your family are interested in stepparent adoption, certain steps must be taken to properly and, most importantly, legally adopt a child. For experienced representation from a Houston stepparent adoption attorney, please contact the Law Office of Kimberly D. Levi. Kimberly Levi's goal is to ensure that the adoption process goes smoothly and remains a positive experience for all involved.
The requirements for stepparent adoption include:
- Termination of parental rights by the biological parent
- The stepparent and child must have lived in the same residence for at least six months
- Qualified social worker approval
Why Stepparent Adoption?
Other than legally establishing the emotional bond a stepparent may have formed with a stepchild, there are additional reasons for seeking adoption. By adopting a stepchild, the stepparent assumes all the same financial responsibilities that any other parent has. In some cases, a stepparent may already be financially supporting a stepchild. If you wish for your stepchild to inherit from you, that can happen only if he or she legally becomes your child.
Voluntary Termination of Parental Rights
In any stepparent adoption, the parental rights of the biological parent must be terminated. This necessary step is easier when the termination is voluntary. The biological parent can show this through an affidavit and then the stepparent adoption can proceed.
Involuntary Termination of Parental Rights
When termination is involuntary and the biological parent refuses to terminate his or her parental rights, Kimberly D. Levi can file a petition seeking termination. Grounds for seeking involuntary termination of parental rights include:
- Drug or alcohol abuse
- Child abuse/child endangerment
- Abandonment
- Failure to pay child support
Contact Us for a Galveston Stepchildren Lawyer
To discuss stepparent adoption matters with Houston divorce lawyer Kimberly D. Levi, please call 888-324-6330 or fill out the contact form on this site. Ms. Levi has more than 15 years of experience assisting families in finding sustainable solutions for the family in Houston, Texas, and the surrounding area.
