Adopting a child is not a simple process. It can be confusing and frustrating, especially if the child is a stepchild. Thankfully, working with an experienced family law attorney like Kendall Gkikas & Mitchell, LLP can help make the process less confusing and less stressful. With 30 years of experience, Kendall Gkikas & Mitchell, LLP will be there every step of the way.
Keep reading to learn more about adopting a stepchild in California!
What are the different types of stepparent adoption?
There are two types of stepparent adoption in California. The easiest and most straightforward option is when a stepparent is married to or a legal domestic partner to the parent when the child was born and is still married. The more cumbersome process is when the couple was not together when the child was born or are no longer together.
What does the adoption process look like?
So, what does the adoption process look like when you are adopting a stepchild? The first step is to gather information about the process, which a family law attorney like Kendall Gkikas & Mitchell, LLP can help with. You will need to fill out a variety of court forms and have them reviewed by your attorney. After making at least two copies of every form, they will be filed with the court clerk.
Papers will then need to be served to the other birth parent to notify them about the request for adoption and to ask for their consent to adopt the child. Depending on the age of the child, they will also be interviewed and their opinion will be taken into account. After this, an investigator will interview you and a court date for an adoption hearing will be issued.
What can I expect at the finalization hearing?
When you get to the finalization hearing, the parent adopting the child, their spouse, and the child must appear. The hearing will usually take place one or two months after the investigation was filed. After the adoption is finalized, an amended birth certificate will be issued that shows the adopted parent as the birth parent. You can also change the child’s last name on the birth certificate.
Contact Kendall Gkikas & Mitchell, LLP today for help with a stepchild adoption in California.
Now that you know a bit more about the adoption process for stepchildren in California, if you are ready to take the next step, you should contact the team at Kendall Gkikas & Mitchell, LLP. Since 1994, we have been offering our clients assistance with adoptions in the state of California. Whether you are interested in a stepchild adoption or adoption of another kind, we are here to help. Our skilled attorneys know the ins and outs of the adoption process and can help make everything run smoothly. Give us a call at 909-482-1422 to request your initial consultation!
To learn more about the reliable and quality family law services that we offer, visit us on the web at Kendall Gkikas & Mitchell, LLP.
