Handling Step-Parent Adoptions In Melbourne, Florida – Series Recap

by | Aug 21, 2019 | Adoptions

Children with piggy banks

This is the final post in my series on handling step-parent adoptions in Melbourne, Florida. As you approach this important decision with your family, it is important to consider the legal implications of adoption. The goal of this series has to provide information about these important issues and to emphasize the importance of retaining a family law attorney to assist you with the process. If you are considering adoption, contact my office today to speak with a lawyer.

This series addressed the following key topics:

Understanding these issues is essential for any family contemplating a step-parent adoption. First, many parents do not fully appreciate that adoption will permanently change their parental rights and obligations. This applies both to the birth parents’ and step-parent’s responsibilities in the future. Issues such as child support obligations and rights to visitation transfer to an adoptive parent even if the birth parent and step-parent divorce in the future. Second, asking a birth parent to terminate his or her parental rights is a major decision. Depending upon whether the terminating parent consents to or opposes the request, the legal process to obtain the adoption may be different. Understanding the process will be essential for the families involved.

Adoption can be a happy time for families, but may be stressful without a clear understanding the legal ramifications and processes involved. Retaining a knowledgeable adoption attorney will help you understand your rights. Contact my office today to speak to a lawyer. My office is dedicated to providing the highest level of service to our clients in Melbourne. We also serve the cities of Titusville, Cocoa, Palm Bay, Grant, Valkaria, and Rockledge, as well as in the Indian River County areas of Fellsmere, Sebastian, Vero Beach, Indian River Shores, and Orchid.