Stepparent adoptions can be highly emotional, especially when they are contested. Before a stepparent can legally gain parental rights, the biological parent would have to terminate their parental rights.
Handling Stepparent Adoptions in the Children's Best Interests
At Greenberg Adoption: The Law Offices of Clifford L. Greenberg, we have extensive experience handling highly emotional stepparent adoptions throughout New York. Part of our background includes proving if one parent is unfit (in certain cases this is necessary) and should no longer have parental rights. We also handle fairly straightforward stepparent adoptions, when one parent is no longer in the picture or has passed away. Our New York City stepparent adoption lawyers are highly sensitive to the unique circumstances you may be facing.
Are you interested in becoming your step children's legal parent? The adoption process is pretty straightforward if the biological parent is no longer present. However, the stakes can quickly escalate if the adoption is contested. Contact our NYC adoption lawyers to learn how we guide you through the legal process and protect your children's best interests.
Handling Stepparent Adoptions in New York City
If your step child's biological parent is no longer alive, you can become his or her legal parent through a fairly straightforward legal process. This is not the case, however, if your step child's biological parent is alive. In this case, the biological parent would have to give up their parental rights including child custody and visitation. The biological parent would then be released from their responsibility of paying child support. If the biological parent is unwilling to surrender his or her parental rights, the case would need to be litigated in Family and Surrogate's Court. If the child is 14 years or older, he or she needs to consent to the adoption.
Our adoption attorneys have extensive experience handling contested stepparent adoptions throughout New York. We know how to prove if a child is in a dangerous situation or the biological parent is unfit based on a variety of concerns such as:
- Physical or sexual abuse
- Abandonment or neglect
- Mental illness
- Alcohol or drug addictions
New York adoption attorney Clifford Greenberg and his legal team have handled more than 4,000 adoptions throughout New York. We know how to effectively handle contested adoptions in the children's best interests. Our legal team is committed to guiding you through the legal process and will keep you fully informed on any potential roadblocks.
Contact Our Westchester Step Child Adoption Lawyers Today
If you are considering a stepparent adoption, we can explain your options and help you arrive at an arrangement that reflects your goals. Contact our New York City adoption lawyers today for a complimentary consultation. We offer legal services in English, Spanish and Portuguese.