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Aside from the emotional support of his or her parents, the child is also going to need financial support, and let’s not forget health insurance. Sometimes it is the stepparent whom has the health insurance, and some large insurance companies will not cover stepfamily members. And while an adoption should never occur simply because the stepparent has more money than the biological parent, if the non-custodial parent is uninvolved, and not contributing to the child financially or otherwise, it is not fair for the child... more

In order for a stepparent adoption to be completed, both biological parents must consent to the adoption. When the non-custodial parent consents to the adoption, he, or she, is giving up parental rights to the child, allowing the child’s stepparent to adopt the child. While some non-custodial parents are willing to sign over their parental rights, others, though not directly involved with the child, are not willing to sign over their rights in order for a stepparent to adoption the child.

Many times, when a parent is not involved... more

When you are dealing with an older stepchild, and you wish to adopt him or her, it is important that both the remaining biological parent and the stepparent sit down with the child, and speak with him or her about the prospect of a stepparent adoption. If the child is old enough to grasp the concept of adoption, and all that it entails, than he or she should most definitely have a say as to weather or not a stepparent adoption should occur.

Some children will be very happy and excited to be adopted by their stepparent. The adoption for the child, will symbolize being... more