What to Know about the Adoption of a Stepchild Process in CA

What to Know about the Adoption of a Stepchild Process in CAIf you recently married someone who has children from a previous relationship or marriage, you might be considering adopting those children. It can often be a beautiful way to let the kids know that you will always be there for them as a father or mother, but there are some important legal considerations to be aware of when it comes to the adoption process.

At Kendall Gkikas & Mitchell, we will gladly walk you through all the ins-and-outs of the adoption of a stepchild process, and answer any questions or concerns you may have along the way. Our entire focus at Kendall Gkikas & Mitchell is on serving children and their best interests. That’s why we called our website Parents4Children.com.

Choose an adoption

The first task that will need to be tackled when you decide to formally adopt a stepchild is meeting with a lawyer who will be able to counsel you on the proper procedure, assist you with filling out the necessary paperwork, and offer you legal advice to ensure the ideal outcome is achieved during the adoption process. At Kendall Gkikas & Mitchell, we have assisted with hundreds of adoptions, and it always warms our heart to see children permanently received as sons or daughters of stepparents.

Fill out the forms

All of the necessary documentation needs to be filled out, but don’t worry—the Southern California’s best adoption lawyers will assist you with aptly doing so. We’ll thoroughly review every bit of information you provide to ensure it enhances your adoption case optimally.

Get the other birth parent served

The child’s other birth parent (the one who’s not your spouse or domestic partner) should be informed that their biological child will likely be adopted by you. Someone else must serve him or her with documentation that explains your petition to adopt your stepchild. At Kendall Gkikas & Mitchell, we can explain all that’s required to successfully serve the birth parent and serve these papers on your behalf.

The other birth parent must consent to the adoption before it can move forward. However, if she or he doesn’t agree, there are certain conditions that will allow the adoption to proceed, such as abandonment, failure to pay child support, and when the judge decides it’s in the child’s best interests to be adopted by the stepparent. We can help you understand all your options for adopting a stepchild at Kendall Gkikas & Mitchell.

Talk with the child

You’ve likely already discussed the adoption with the child before even contacting an adoption lawyer, but if not, this is a good time in the process to make sure they are okay with it. In California, any child older than 12 must consent to be adopted for it to be finalized by a judge.

Social worker visit and report

For every adoption in California, including stepchild adoptions, a social worker, court investigator, or licensed family therapist writes a report that explains, in detail, the situation of the adoptive parents and child. The social worker will visit with you and your spouse or domestic partner and ask you questions. You may have to fill out more official paperwork at this point as well. There may be required fees for this report, which will be filed with the court in the county in which you live. You’ll receive a copy of the social worker’s report.

Adoption hearing

Ask the court clerk when your adoption hearing will be after you receive the social worker’s report. Then all you have to do is make sure you attend the hearing (arriving at least 15 minutes early, just in case you get held up in traffic or something). Here’s what you’ll need to bring with you:

  • The child you are adopting
  • The necessary adoption forms
  • A camera or phone, in case you want to take a picture with the judge
  • Friends and family
  • A big smile!

Adoption is an incredibly exciting process, and thankfully, in California, it’s a relatively straightforward one. At Kendall Gkikas & Mitchell, we can help you through all the legal aspects of adopting a stepchild and make sure you feel confident every step of the way.

Call 909-482-1422 or email info@parents4children.com to set up an initial consultation about adopting a stepchild today.