San Jose Stepparent Adoption AttorneysAre you interested in adopting your spouse's children from another relationship? Contact the stepparent adoption attorneys at Hoover & Bechtel, L.L.P. for a free consultation. In stepparent adoption, the stepparent takes on all the financial and legal responsibilities of a parent for his or her step children. Stepparent adoption is common in families in which a custodial parent remarries after the death of or divorce from the children's other parent and in families in which the children's parents were never married. If the non-custodial parent is still alive, one of two things must happen for the adoption to go forward. The non-custodial parent must consent to the adoption or the court must declare them to be an unfit parent. The adoption will end the natural parent's obligations to the child. If the children to be adopted are 12 years of age or older, they must also consent to the adoption. The stepparent adoption process involves filling out a questionnaire, reporting financial information, filing letters of reference, and having an agency conduct a home study. After the appropriate papers are filed with the court, a brief hearing is held to finalize the adoption. Difficulties sometimes arise in carrying out these adoptions, especially if they are contested. We will help you through the process and work toward achieving your goals. If you would like legal assistance in adopting your stepchildren, please contact Hoover & Bechtel, L.L.P. for efficient and effective representation. Free Consultation ▪ Free Parking ▪ Visa & MasterCard Accepted Hoover & Bechel, LLP | 1570 The Alameda, Suite 101 | San Jose, CA 95126 |
