You may be thinking, “Is it possible to adopt my spouse’s child?” In Florida, step-parent adoption is a simple process. It’s also one of the most common types of adoption.
Often times, step-parent adoption is really just the legalization of a parent/child relationship that already exists between the stepparent and the child. By choosing to make this relationship legal, the child will become your legal child with all of the same rights and obligations held by a biological child. They will be eligible for your insurance and benefits, and will now be able to be claimed as a dependent on your tax returns.
In order to be eligible for step-parent adoption, the person adopting must be the spouse of one of the child’s legal parents and must have their consent. The adoption must also be in the child’s best interest, meaning that you have means and ability to properly care for them. In addition, there are several other instances in which additional consent may be needed.
- If the child is 12 years of age or older, they will need to consent to the adoption.
- If parental rights of the other parent are still intact, they will need to sign a consent for adoption or their parental rights will have to be otherwise terminated.
Adopting your spouse’s child is a joyous occasion. The Law Office of Madonna Finney would be more than happy to assist you in making legal that which you’ve known in your hearts: that you are all family.
We are available anytime by text or phone at (850) 308-1836.