Facilitating Stepparent Adoptions In California
It is widely acknowledged that adoptions are the most positive practice aspect of family law. When the court has the opportunity to place children in need with loving parents, it can be a joyous occasion. Stepparent adoption, while more common, is a wonderful way to bring blended families together and an experienced California adoption lawyer can help facilitate the legal process.
With more than 30 years of experience, attorney Jennifer M. Sullivan has dedicated her legal career and her firm to family law. She founded the Law and Mediation Office of Jennifer M. Sullivan in Roseville to provide families with legal guidance through the emotional and difficult legal challenges in family law courts.
In today’s world, it is common for families to evolve and undergo transitions and change. A stepparent adoption legally protects children and provides assurances for health insurance, life insurance and other legal benefits of a legal parent-child relationship.
California Adoptions: Adopting A Stepchild
Most often, the single greatest obstacle to any adoption lies with the agreeability of the biological parent. If the biological mother or father is willing to give up his or her parental rights so the stepparent can proceed with an adoption, then the process runs smoothly. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for a dispute to arise over the termination of parental rights. When this happens, an experienced California adoption lawyer can provide invaluable legal guidance and advice.
Legally Adopting An Adult In California
Adopting an adult in California can offer several meaningful benefits. A stepparent might wish to adopt an adult stepchild for various reasons, including:
- Legal recognition: Adopting an adult child establishes a legal parent-child relationship, granting the adopted adult the same rights as a biological child, such as inheritance rights.
- Emotional bond: A legal adoption will strengthen the emotional bond between the stepparent and the adult child, solidifying their family connection.
- Family unity: Adopting a stepchild creates a sense of unity and belonging within the family, which can be especially important in blended families.
- Simplified process: Unlike minor adoptions, adult adoptions do not require a home study or court investigation, making the process more straightforward and less time-consuming.
Once a child reaches adulthood, the adoption process also does not require the biological parent to relinquish parental rights, which simplifies the legal proceedings even more. This means that both the adopting stepparent and the adult child can focus on formalizing their relationship without the complexities involved in minor adoptions. For those considering a stepparent adoption involving an adult child, family law attorney and divorce lawyer Jennifer Sullivan can provide valuable guidance tailored to your unique family situation.
Consult A Stepparent Adoption Lawyer
To schedule a confidential consultation with an experienced and compassionate adoption attorney, contact the firm using the online form or call 916-724-1722. Jennifer Sullivan is available to meet with clients Monday through Thursday. Visa and MasterCard are accepted as payment.