Boca Raton Stepparent Adoption Attorney
Many stepparents form close bonds with a stepchild and might raise the child for most of their lives. However, stepparents might have few to no legal rights when it comes to seeing the child if a divorce happens or their spouse passes away. For this reason, many stepparents in Florida seek to legally adopt their stepchild, and the law firm of Juliana Gaita, PA, can help in this situation.
Adopting a Stepchild
Florida law sets out guidelines and requirements for all adoptions. While some requirements for stepparent adoptions are less stringent than other adoptions, there are additional challenges that might arise.
First, you do not have to undergo home visits and the traditional investigative process if you are married to one of the child’s biological parents. However, you will need to show that the other biological parent (outside your marriage) either:
- Had their parental rights terminated by the court
- Relinquishes their parental rights
- Abandoned the child
- Passed away
- Never established paternity
This is often the biggest hurdle in a stepparent adoption case, especially if the other parent is not willing to give up their rights. Our law firm can assist you in proving that their rights should be terminated or that your stepchild was abandoned when appropriate.
We also assist in drafting and filing your adoption petition with the proper court, ensuring you meet all your requirements as an adoptive parent, and represent you in court when the time comes.
Learn More from a Boca Raton Stepparent Adoption Lawyer
If you are considering adopting your stepchild and you want to learn more about the process, never hesitate to reach out to the legal team of Juliana Gaita, PA. We help clients complete their families through many types of adoption, and we can provide the guidance you need. Contact us online or call 561.944.7245 today.
