Orlando Stepparent Adoption Lawyer
Schedule your consultation today
Florida Step-Parent Adoptions
Stepparent adoption happens when a stepparent takes the appropriate steps to become the legal parent of a child, enabling that stepparent to take over all legal responsibility for the child’s welfare. An Orlando stepparent adoption lawyer at TK Law help families walk through the legal process of adopting a stepchild or stepchildren.
For a stepparent to have the legal rights of a birth parent, the family must proceed with the adoption process. In a step-parent adoption, generally two scenarios are present, and either one must be fulfilled:
- The birth parent must consent to the adoption, giving up his or her parental rights to that stepparent
- The court terminates a natural parent’s parental rights due to abuse, abandonment or neglect
Without legal adoption, Orlando’s courts are not obligated to grant any parental rights whatsoever to the non-birth parent. For example, when a custodial parent dies, is incarcerated or faces some other circumstance that incapacitates his or her ability to be an effective parent, the court awards child custody rights and decision-making authority to the surviving biological parent, next of kin, or even the State of Florida.
Speak with an experienced Florida attorney at our firm today.
Call 407-834-4847.
We can help you take steps to preserve your family’s stability and peace of mind. Contact TK Law today. Reach us for a consultation, at no cost to you, at 407-834-4847.
The Florida Step-Parent Adoption Process
A noncustodial parent must “give up” or otherwise forfeit his or her parental rights before a stepparent is legally able to adopt the child or children. The stepparent and his or her spouse begin this process by working with an attorney to either:
- Obtain written (preferably notarized) consent from the biological parent that forfeits his or her rights, or
- File a petition with the court and properly notify the biological parent and all other interested parties (i.e., grandparents with visitation rights) of the petition and future adoption hearing.
TK Law is experienced in both willing and contested parental right forfeitures. When a biological parent is willing to give up his or her rights and to stop paying child support, we present the evidence to the court and wait (generally only a few months) for a resolution to the case.
When a stepparent adoption is contested because the biological parent refuses to give up parental rights, the attorney representing the stepparent must produce evidence to the court that that shows why the adoption should be considered. Information a court considers in its determination of the case may involve whether the opposing birth-parent:
- in any way deserted or abandoned the child before,
- is mentally incompetent to parent the child in some way, or
- was abusive to the child or children or been found criminally liable in an offense that prevents his or her access to children
Speak with an experienced Florida attorney at our firm today.
Call 407-834-4847.
Orlando Adoption Attorneys with Extensive Experience
A qualified lawyer with years in a family law practice should only add a greater sense of family and security to your stepparent adoption case. At TK Law, we offer friendly, understanding services to families in several family law matters, and we respect the uniqueness of each case without applying a “one size fits all” legal process.
TK Law attorneys work with our clients until the absolute conclusion of the case. We are also versed to practice several other areas of law that may or may not intertwine with what is currently happening in your family. We are certainly your “attorneys for life.”
To begin the stepparent adoption process, contact TK Law today or call at 407-834-4847.
Free Case Evaluation
Altamonte Springs Office
999 Douglas Avenue
Suite 3333
Altamonte Springs, FL 32714
407.834.4847
Downtown Orlando Office
37 N. Orange Avenue
Suite 500b
Orlando, FL 32801
407.339.0269