
Step-child Adoption
Are you a step-parent who helps your spouse, the biological parent, raise your step-child? And, do you wish to formalize your relationship with this child through step-child adoption? Taking this step means the child will legally be your child. Here are a few things to consider before doing so.
For a step-parent to adopt a child, the other biological parent’s parental rights will need to terminate. In some cases, the biological parent may consent and allow the adoption. However, if consent is denied, termination of parental rights must be legally proven. Therefore, understanding Tennessee Law to identify the appropriate legal grounds is essential to step-child adoption. Once the termination takes place, the step-parent adoption can proceed.
Once the Court approves the adoption, there will be a legal parent-child relationship between the child and the step-parent. Then, at this time, you can legally change the child’s name. Additionally, the birth certificate can change to reflect the parental relationship. And all other legal rights between a parent and a child will exist. The process can be simple and quick, depending on the circumstances.
Do you have questions about step-child adoption?
If you and your spouse are considering a step-parent adoption, contact Angel Kane at Kane & Crowell Family Law Center with questions. Visit www.kane-law.com or call (615) 784-4800. We handle Wilson, Sumner, Trousdale, Macon, Smith, and Rutherford Counties cases. We are happy to put our experience to work for you.
Family Law, Kane Law, Step Parent Adoption
