Step parent adoption is a common form of adoption. Needless to say, the entire adoption procedure for step parents is usually easier than other types of adoption. For example you may not be required to have a home study completed nor be represented by a lawyer, but you might need to have a criminal background check.
Consent of Biological Parent
Once you have agreed to become the step parent of your new spouses child you become responsible for that child. First though, both your spouse and the other parent of the child must give their consent for you to adopt the child.
Occasionally, it can be difficult to get the other parents consent. If your former spouse refuses to consent, the adoption will not be allowed unless their parental rights are terminated for some other reason like abandonment or unfitness.
But once you do get it, the biological parent who is no longer living with the child, then has no rights or responsibilities for the child. They will no longer have the right to visit with the child nor will they be able to make decisions regarding issues such as medical treatment or education. In addition, they will no longer be responsible for child support.
Also, grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles of the noncustodial parent are no longer legally related to the child.
Step Parent Adoption Costs With an Attorney:
Lawyers fees will cost up to $4000 plus an additional $200 for court fees. They will do a home visit, and they will need 3 or 4 letters of recommendation about the parent who is adopting the child, from friends, co-workers, etc. The lawyer will provide all of the documents necessary for you and the noncustodial spouse to complete.
Following this comes the court date with the judge, when the lawyer files everything that is needed.
Step Parent Adoption Costs Without an Attorney:
If the noncustodial parent is in agreement with it, it can make things much cheaper. Here are the documents that you will need to send to them:
First you will need to fill out a Final and Irrevocable Consent to Adoption - signed and notarized. Next a Consent to Terminate Parental Rights (Release of child by Parent) will need to be filled out, signed and notarized.
You will then need to fill out a Petition and Affidavit to Terminate Parental Rights of Noncustodial Parent...signed and notarized. After this is complete you and your new spouse will need to fill out an Adoption Affidavit to Establish Financial Ability, signed and notarized.
Once each of these documents have been accurately completed you can take them to the court house and file your Petition for Adoption. Filing it will cost a small fee of approximately $200.00.
Don't forget to take all of your paperwork, for example, the child's birth certificate, plus your marriage certificate.
When everything is approved and filed, you'll get a court date.
This whole process may be cheaper, but you might not be sure where to go to get all of these document. You could contact Child Welfare Services for more detailed info.
How Long Does Step Parent Adoption Take?
This will also vary according to state. For example, in some states you must have been married to the child's parent for a year or more before you will be aloud to become a step parent.
However, laws will vary from state to state, so it would be best to find out the laws in your State or Province first.
Senin, 25 September 2017
Jumat, 15 September 2017
Are You a Step Parent or a Second Class Parent?
Step parents face challenges that many other parents do not face whatsoever. One of these problems is respect. What should a step parent do when they feel like they've lost that respect? Here are a few tips.
Blended families are pretty much the norm nowadays. From the Brady's to (dare I say it) the Kardashians, blended families are everywhere. But what can you do if you married someone who has a child or children from a previous relationship? Whether you are ready or not, in that situation you will be stepping into the shoes of a parent and if you do not already have children of your own, you will undoubtedly have an interesting road ahead of you.
It could be said that becoming a step parent to a baby or toddler is very different from becoming a step parent to a tween, teen or a child whose age in between four and 10 years old. As with any other parenting challenge, the key is to stay positive. Easier said than done in certain situations, I know.
One of the things that you must do is to keep the lines of communication open with your spouse especially when it comes to parenting. Find out their parenting style and creatively come up with ways to balance that style. Develop tough skin, because there may be times when you just might hear the words, "you're not my real mother/father!" Be prepared to respond to this sternly yet with compassion letting your stepson or stepdaughter that you are their real parent regardless of your last name or blood type, you are there in their lives because you care and love them.
Realize that there can be light at the end of the tunnel and consider taking multiple approaches to parenting. Remember that you are your child's (biological or step child) parent first, so avoid trying to overcompensate your role in their lives by being a friend.
Consider sitting down with your step child (or step children) and hear them out. Do they like you and this new situation? Are they playing the blame game and what are their expectations, if any? This is not to say that you are going to be a doormat to them, but it will help you understand where they are coming from. Additionally, hearing them out will give you an upper hand on how to perfect your parenting strategies. Remember that mutual respect is essential, so if you are not giving respect to your step children, you can't really expect to get it.
Parenting is a wonderful journey and each day you will learn something new. If you are a step parent, consider making friendships with other parents who have gone through what you are going through, and realize that you are not a second class parent - you are a parent who plays a crucial role in the lives of your children.
With a byline that has run nationwide, this former journalist turned author is a parenting expert and writes fictional works. Her work has been featured in several publications.
Blended families are pretty much the norm nowadays. From the Brady's to (dare I say it) the Kardashians, blended families are everywhere. But what can you do if you married someone who has a child or children from a previous relationship? Whether you are ready or not, in that situation you will be stepping into the shoes of a parent and if you do not already have children of your own, you will undoubtedly have an interesting road ahead of you.
It could be said that becoming a step parent to a baby or toddler is very different from becoming a step parent to a tween, teen or a child whose age in between four and 10 years old. As with any other parenting challenge, the key is to stay positive. Easier said than done in certain situations, I know.
One of the things that you must do is to keep the lines of communication open with your spouse especially when it comes to parenting. Find out their parenting style and creatively come up with ways to balance that style. Develop tough skin, because there may be times when you just might hear the words, "you're not my real mother/father!" Be prepared to respond to this sternly yet with compassion letting your stepson or stepdaughter that you are their real parent regardless of your last name or blood type, you are there in their lives because you care and love them.
Realize that there can be light at the end of the tunnel and consider taking multiple approaches to parenting. Remember that you are your child's (biological or step child) parent first, so avoid trying to overcompensate your role in their lives by being a friend.
Consider sitting down with your step child (or step children) and hear them out. Do they like you and this new situation? Are they playing the blame game and what are their expectations, if any? This is not to say that you are going to be a doormat to them, but it will help you understand where they are coming from. Additionally, hearing them out will give you an upper hand on how to perfect your parenting strategies. Remember that mutual respect is essential, so if you are not giving respect to your step children, you can't really expect to get it.
Parenting is a wonderful journey and each day you will learn something new. If you are a step parent, consider making friendships with other parents who have gone through what you are going through, and realize that you are not a second class parent - you are a parent who plays a crucial role in the lives of your children.
With a byline that has run nationwide, this former journalist turned author is a parenting expert and writes fictional works. Her work has been featured in several publications.
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