Adoption Of A Stepchild: Five Things You Need To Know

People tend to discuss the strained relationships between stepparents and children, but many blended families around the country have loving bonds. The role of the stepparent often requires the same commitment and effort as that of a birth parent. It is no surprise when someone who spends years raising a child wants to make their relationship official.

Adoption of a stepchild does not include all the expense and paperwork of other types of adoption, but it does take some effort to complete. Everyone should learn all they can before the process begins so they know the decision they have made is best for everyone involved. Here are five things parents may not know about adopting a stepchild.  

The most common type of adoption in the United States is stepparent adoption. Every year over 100,000 children experience this change in their family life. Many adoption agencies and charitable groups now offer support groups for adoptive stepparents. The groups help parents adjust to their new title, the uniqueness of this type of adoption, and a new family dynamic.  

In many adoption scenarios, the adoptive parents rarely have contact with the birth parents or their family members. A stepchild may not have a relationship with their birth parent but could have grandparents, aunts and uncles, and other relations that still want contact and time with the child.

It is not always easy to accommodate the needs of everyone. The new mother or father may feel animosity towards the family their spouse once knew so intimately. An adoption will not take away any bad feelings that existed between the adults involved. In some instances, the change could create more tension.

Ohio adoption laws state that people can only file a petition to adopt after the birth parent consents to relinquish their rights or the court terminates their parental rights. However, there are exceptions. Any parent that previously had their rights terminated will have no say in the process. Consent is not needed from a birth father that never acknowledged the child as his own.

Consent is also unnecessary if the parent has no contact with their child for a least a year and did not financially support them. Other situations may also eliminate the need for consent. A judge will decide if the case can continue when the birth parent refuses to consent to the adoption.

Background and criminal checks take place after the state receives a petition to adopt. The need for a home visit may or may not occur. Home checks do not automatically happen with a stepchild adoption because the children have usually already lived in the home for years with the stepparent.

In Ohio, most probate courts send out the documentation about the adoption to the state for an amendment to the birth certificate. The names of the adoptive parent will replace that of the birth parent on the certificate. The location of the birth may change too and list the state where the adoption, rather than the birth, took place. Any name change occurs at this time as well.

Adoption of a stepchild allows the parent to have access to school records, decide on medical care, and keep the child in the home if the other parent dies. The process makes families feel complete, but it can become confusing. Guidance from Mary E. Papcke, Attorney at Law, can make it easier for you to receive the outcome you want. Contact us to learn more.