Continued...


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 to have to suffer simply because the non-custodial parent does not want to ‘give in.’

By allowing the stepparent adoption to occur, the non-custodial parent is allowing the child the chance to move on. The child will have a second chance to have a stable loving family, someone to call mom and someone to call dad. Having two people whom love and care for you can do wonders for a child whom has been abandoned by their birth parent, heck it can do wonders for anyone!

Even when resentment and tempers run high, if the parents of a child are able to focus on what it truly important, the happiness and wellbeing of the child, than usually after some time, an agreement is able to be made that is satisfactory to both sides. Sometimes all it takes is a little extra time for each side to let go of old emotions, and to focus on the best interest of the child. Sometimes sadly, an uninvolved non-custodial parent is not willing to budge, and the custodial parent will have to hire an attorney and fight to have the non-custodial parent’s rights terminated.

While it can be costly if the court battle drags out, it is not impossible to have a parents right’s terminated against their will. If they truly have not been involved in the child’s life, for at least a year, or if they are in any way a danger or threat to the child, then their rights can be taken away by the court. The parent whom is petitioning for the adoption and for the termination of parental rights, has the burden of proof, which means if you claim that the non-custodial parent is unfit, you will have to have proof to back it up. If you believe that you may have to fight in court in order to have the non-custodial parent’s rights terminated, then begin gathering evidence and documenting right away. You can never be too prepared for court!