Southern California Step-Parent Adoptions
and Terminations of Parental Rights
There are at least two sides to every story. For a step-parent, adopting a child you’ve already been taking care of in many respects is a wonderful, legal way to strengthen the bonds that already exist between you. For non-custodial parents, the possibility of a step-parent adoption is a drastic and frighteningly permanent act which results in the termination of all parental rights.
At Holstrom, Sissung, Marks & Anderson, we know both sides of the step-parent adoption story and provide clients on either side of this issue with quality legal advice and representation designed to accomplish their goals. To learn more about this process, your legal rights or how our lawyers can help — call any of our three Southern California office locations directly or contact us online.
Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino County Step-Parent Adoptions
Uncontested step-parent adoptions are fairly straightforward and generally occur in one of two contexts. In the first, the biological parent whose rights would have to be terminated is deceased. In the second, the non-custodial parent consents.
Once a “consented-to” adoption is approved, the biological parent no longer has any legal rights or obligations as far as the children are concerned. However, in exchange for consent, biological parents are often allowed to continue their relationships with the children.
Contested step-parent adoptions can be much more difficult to accomplish as courts are reluctant to take away anyone’s parental rights in the absence of justifiable grounds such as abandonment or abuse. The overriding public policy is to make sure that children are provided with a stable home. If they do not already have one, then step-parent adoption is one way to attempt to achieve that.
Talk to an Attorney Today
- Orange County: (714) 408-7290 / (866) 586-8231
- Riverside County: (951) 817-7665 / (866) 930-1949
- San Bernardino County: (909) 327-2065 / (866) 331-9473
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