Stepparent Adoption

Stepparent and Relative Adoptions in Arizona

Phoenix and Chandler Adoption Attorneys

There are many reasons why a stepparent or family member may wish to adopt a child. Through legal adoption, the child becomes eligible for all the legal benefits that a parent-child relationship can bring, including:

• The right to inherit
• The right to social security should the stepparent die
• Legal authority to talk to the schools, to pick a child up at daycare, and to make emergency medical decisions for the child
• The same last name as other family members
• And more important than all other rights, the child is acknowledged as a loved and wanted family member

Stepparent adoption can be a tremendously meaningful event in a child - and a parent's life and it is a relatively simple process. If your family is ready to take this step in family life, contact the Law offices of Scott David Stewart to speak with our adoption lawyer, Amy Dohrendorf.

There are a few steps required before your stepparent adoption is complete.

• Termination of parental rights: The non-custodial biological parent must relinquish his or her legal rights to the child. We will contact the other parent to seek a signature on the required paperwork. By signing these papers they are no longer responsible for paying child support so many non-custodial parents sign the required papers with little difficulty.
• Unlike a standard adoption, no home study is required.
• We handle all filings with the court and can appear with you in court for the adoption hearing.
• We file paperwork for a legal name change.

Grandparent or Relative Adoption

Keeping families together is always an admirable goal. There are any number of reasons why a grandparent or a relative may wish to become adoptive parents to a child: parental illness or incapacity, teen pregnancy, or a wish to keep a child out of the foster care system. A home study will be required for these adoptions. We can help you obtain one.

Whatever the circumstance in your family, we help grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings and cousins who wish to adopt a related child. Contact our Phoenix or Chandler law office to schedule a consultation. We can begin the process quickly.