Have you always wanted to grow your family? Perhaps you wanted to have children but are physically unable to do so. Whatever the situation is, if you’re ready to bring a child into your life, one option is to go through the adoption process.
The reality is that there are many people in the world today who struggle to raise their children. Many give them up or turn to others for help. You may be able to step in and take on the responsibility of raising that child, which gives you the potential to adopt them.
Adoptions are often thought of as something that happens between strangers, but it can happen in families, too. For instance, if you have a child and remarry, you may want your spouse to be able to adopt your child and take on that parental responsibility. If your ex-spouse does not want custody, has died or does not have parental rights, then it might be possible to complete a stepparent adoption. Remember, in most cases, it’s necessary for one parent to give up their parental rights to allow for a stepparent to adopt the child.
Adoptions are complex, especially when family is involved. The adoption may be contested, and if a child is older, their input may also be considered. If the proceedings are heavily contested for any reason, then you may find it helpful to work with an attorney who can provide support and guidance. Our website has more on stepparent adoptions and potential guardianships, so you can learn more about growing your family through these methods.
