For some Michigan stepparents, their stepchild is a wonderful addition to their family, and they love them very much. A stepparent can adopt a stepchild in Michigan through a court process. This can be a fulfilling event for both the stepparent and their stepchild.
There is no set amount of time that a person needs to be a stepparent before they can adopt their stepchild. They can apply to be a stepparent if their spouse and the other parent are divorced or if they were never married. If the other parent agrees to the adoption, it can be a simpler process. If the other parent does not agree to the adoption, then it can be a more difficult process.
If the adoption is approved by a judge, then the other parent will lose all custody and parenting time rights. They will also no longer be required to pay child support. The child will also lose inheritance from their grandparents on their biological parent who had their rights removed side.
How a lawyer can help
A legal professional who is skilled in family law can help their client through the stepparent adoption process. They can help their client by:
- Obtaining consent from other legal guardian
- Working through issues that arise during home study
- Proof of abandonment by other parent
- Termination of parental rights
- Negotiating and resolving disputes with other parent
- Preparing and filing adoption request
- Legal name changes
- Prepare and accompany client to all court appearances.
Adopting a stepchild is a special event in everyone’s life. Making sure the process goes smoothly can be helped by having an attorney who can help with every step.