After marrying someone with children, you may eventually decide to adopt these young ones. You may feel that this move would bring the entire family closer while granting you important rights as a parent. But is this easy to achieve in Georgia? What is the legal process of adopting stepchildren? This is a conversation you might want to have with an experienced family law attorney in Georgia.
You Can Only Adopt Your Stepchildren Under Specific Circumstances
If you want to adopt your stepchild, you need to marry the biological parent of that child. If you are already married to the biological parent, this is not an issue. However, you may be a long-term “partner” of the biological parent rather than a legal spouse. In this case, you may need to consider marriage in order to become the stepparent of the child. This is true regardless of how long you have been in a relationship with the parent. In contrast, you can adopt a stepchild immediately after marrying the parent, regardless of the duration of the relationship before the marriage.
You also must be at least 21 years old and a legal resident of Georgia. Aside from these restrictions, stepparents benefit from a slightly less prohibitive age-gap law. While other prospective parents must be at least 10 years older than the child they wish to adopt, stepparents face no such limitation. For example, a 23-year-old stepparent could potentially adopt a 14-year-old child in Georgia.
Finally, you must demonstrate that you are capable of raising and caring for the child. Courts may consider your financial stability, your mental health, and any physical conditions you might have. An experienced family law attorney in Georgia can help you understand these requirements with greater clarity.
The Benefits of Adopting a Stepchild
If you do not adopt a stepchild, you will have no parental rights if the other parent dies or becomes incapacitated. For example, the other parent might suffer some kind of injury or health issue that leaves them hospitalized for months. If this happens, then the child might not be able to stay with you. This situation can be even more challenging if the biological parent dies. If this happens, you lose all legal connection with the child, almost as if you were a complete stranger.
Aside from these major life events, adoption may prove useful in various daily tasks. As a legal parent, you can sign permission forms for school. You can play a more active role in the child’s life without having to consult with the other parent first. Perhaps most importantly, the child in question may feel a greater sense of security knowing that they have another parent who cares.
Can a Family Law Attorney in Georgia Help Me Adopt My Stepchildren?
Adoption is a positive choice for many stepparents in Georgia, and it can strengthen family ties while providing new parental rights. However, this process may also have many consequences that you might not be aware of. You may want to discuss the next steps with an experienced family law attorney in Georgia. Speak with Lankford & Moore Law today to learn more about how to proceed.
