Adoption can be a very complex area of family law. It is important that you know the specific steps that you must take in order for the process to go as smoothly as possible. At Contreras Law Firm, our San Diego family lawyers focus our adoption practice on adult and stepparent adoptions for clients throughout San Diego County and the surrounding area.
Stepparent Adoptions
Stepparent adoptions tend to be more common than adult adoptions. They can be more complex from a legal perspective and require specific approvals before they are allowed to proceed. Some of the California requirements that you must meet before you can adopt a stepchild include:
- You must be married to the child’s biological parent
- You must be at least 10 years older than the child (could be waived in some cases)
- If the child is over 12, he or she must consent to the adoption
A stepparent adoption frequently involves the termination of a biological parent’s rights. After the adoption, the stepparent has all the custodial rights and responsibilities of a biological parent, and the biological parent who lost those rights no longer has a legal relationship with the child. Once stepparent adoption is finalized, it cannot be revoked except in very rare circumstances. This adoption is not terminated if the stepparent and biological parent divorce.
Adult Adoptions
California allows one adult to adopt a younger adult to form a parent-child relationship. This legal adoption does more than simply create a relationship. It gives both parties increased rights and responsibilities, including inheritance rights. Adults often turn to adoption to protect certain estate assets or deal with complicated estate planning issues.
Schedule A Free Consultation To Discuss Your Adoption Needs
If you are considering an adult adoption or a stepparent adoption, please call our office today at 619-238-0616 or send us an email. Our attorneys will help you draft all of the necessary documents and answer any questions you might have regarding the process or your rights after the adoption is finalized.