One of the best things about practicing family law is helping families grow. Our attorneys have helped hundreds of families navigate stepparent adoption law. We appreciate what big role stepparents play in raising healthy and well-adjusted children. For varied and important reasons, stepparents want the same rights and responsibilities as a biological parent. A stepparent adoption can be beneficial to both the children and parents. It means that the law recognizes your relationship with your stepchild and allows you to make decisions for the child that only a parent can make. It also allows you to continue your relationship with your children even if something happens to your spouse.
The Stepparent Adoption Process
Once a parent has remarried and has been married for at least six months, his or her new spouse can file a petition to adopt any stepchildren. Consent by the biological non-custodial parent is requ
ired for a stepparent adoption. If consent cannot be obtained, the termination of parental rights must be obtained through a court procedure.
Michigan law provides that parents’ rights to a child may be involuntarily terminated if:
- They have the ability to support the child but have failed to provide regular and substantial support for the child; and
- They have regularly and substantially failed or neglected to see their child for a period of two years or more before the filing of the adoption petition.
Contact the law office of Kathryn Wayne-Spindler at 248-676-1000 to discuss stepparent adoption.
Kathryn Wayne-Spindler & Associates have many satisfied clients throughout the five counties of Southeastern Michigan – Oakland, Washtenaw, Wayne, Genesee, and Livingston. The Michigan Family Law Attorneys of Kathryn Wayne-Spindler & Associates have one simple objective: to handle our clients’ legal worries so they can concentrate on life and family. Contact Kathryn Wayne-Spindler & Associates today to learn more about our experience and success at 248-676-1000. We are conveniently located in Milford, Michigan. We help clients throughout Milford; Highland; Hartland; White Lake; Commerce; Waterford; West Bloomfield; Walled Lake; South Lyon; New Hudson; Wixom; Linden; Holly; Fenton; Grand Blanc; Flint and many more local communities.
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