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California Stepparent Adoption: Who Qualifies as a Stepparent?
By Tanya Schoenwolf | August 13, 2019
A stepparent adoption occurs when the spouse of a child's custodial parent adopts the child. If you are a stepparent in California and you are interested in adopting your stepchild, you should consider the basic requirements that must be met according to California state law and then consult an experienced family law attorney. Who Qualifies as a Stepparent for Stepparent Adoption in California? To qualify the custodial parent and stepparent must be married at least one year before the adoption. It is relatively common for a stepparent and stepchild to develop a strong bond. In some instances, the relationship with…
Child Custody Issues For Gay Couples
By Gerald A. Maggio, Esq. | May 4, 2017
Same-sex couples now enjoy most if not all of the benefits that heterosexual couples do. Marriages have now become legal for gay couples and so has adopting children. However, the question of whether gay partners can be good parents or not is not an issue. Research has established that being good parents has nothing to do with gender. Like every other couple, homosexual couples have their problems too and sometimes it ends up in a divorce. Divorce laws are the same for homosexual couples as it is for heterosexual couples. But custody battles can be more complicated than other issues….
Same-Sex Couples & Child Custody Issues
By Gerald A. Maggio, Esq. | July 14, 2016
Same sex parents who are headed towards a divorce or separation have the same problems, issues, and concerns as heterosexual parents. Avoiding a custody battle that can get very complicated not only for the couple but for the children as well is advisable. A joint decision needs to be reached on matters such as legal custody (decision making for the child), physical custody (who the child lives with), visitation rights (how often the noncustodial parent visits), and child support. If both of you are legal parents Same sex couples can be legal parents if – Both jointly adopted the child. The…
Divorce, Adoption & Custody Rights
By Gerald A. Maggio, Esq. | February 22, 2016
A divorce has repercussions whether it is negative or positive on your life and that of the people all around you. When two spouses decide to part ways they are agreeing to end their legal relation with one another. Yet, some relationships, rights and responsibilities continue to exist even after a divorce such as those of a child from the wedlock. However, there is confusion in this regard; most people think that children that are born to the parents or ones that are adopted into the marriage have different rights. However, in most situations, this will not differ barring a…
Stepparent Adoption Means Terminating Another Parent's Legal Rights
By Gerald A. Maggio, Esq. | August 25, 2014
In situations where a stepparent acts as one of the child's primary caregivers and the other biological parent is not involved in the child's life, stepparent adoption may be in the best interests of the child. Adoption terminates one biological parent's legal rights and allows the stepparent to take over those rights and responsibilities. When to Consider Stepparent Adoption Some scenarios where stepparent adoption may be the best choice include cases where the other biological parent has died; cases where the other parent is uninvolved in the child's life, due to imprisonment or abandonment; and cases where the other parent…
Stepparent Adoptions Increasing with Thousands of Stepfamilies Forming Every Day
By magadm | March 15, 2011
Stepfamilies are a huge part of American society, yet the mainstream media rarely mentions the unique needs of both parents and children when they are assimilating into one family. The U.S. Census Bureau reports 1300 new stepfamilies are forming every day and more than 50 percent of families are remarried or recoupled with kids less than 13 years old. Unlike normal adoption, stepparent adoption is for individuals who want to solidify their commitment as a stepfather or stepmother and adopt their stepchild. An experienced stepparent adoption attorney is critical to draft legal documents, review them, and counsel on a stepparent's…
Unmarried Mothers Should Consult With an Orange County Family Law Attorney
By magadm | May 30, 2010
Unmarried mothers face a number of legal issues that must be dealt with to secure the health and happiness of their child. A family law attorney can help unmarried mothers navigate these difficult legal issues and secure adequate child support. Unfortunately, many unmarried women find themselves alone after they become pregnant and the father of their child leaves. This abandonment can be emotionally taxing for a young woman by itself, and there are a number of legal issues at stake that must be handled as well. Not only must the child's paternity be confirmed, child support must be secured from…
What To Understand About Same-Sex Couples and Adoptions in California
Same sex couples face unique legal challenges when they decide to become a family with children. While California allows same-sex couples to adopt, the process can be long and difficult. The adoption process is often difficult even for heterosexual couples, and same-sex couples face even greater challenges when it comes to adoption. In California, GLBT adoption and second parent adoption are legal and can present significant legal and social challenges for same-sex couples. Gay and lesbian couples often decide to bring a child into their lives through conception and birth. For a lesbian couple, this involves finding a male donor…
Stepparent Adoptions in California Are Relatively Straightforward
By magadm | December 14, 2009
Adopting in California is not terribly difficult, but the best advice anyone can be given is to discuss the matter with an experienced Orange County family attorney. Adopting a stepchild in California may be a relatively simple process, although as with many things dealing with the law, each case is different. There are generally exceptions in many instances as well and it never hurts to be smart and speak to a qualified Orange County family lawyer. It's better to know what is actually involved right up front rather than find out later about something no one thought about," explained Gerald…
What to Know About Orange County Stepparent Adoptions
By magadm | November 20, 2009
Step parent adoptions are quite common these days and not as complex as many people think. The fact of the matter when it comes to step-parent adoptions is that they are a whole lot easier and faster than other forms of adoption. This is because many of the states tend to bypass the home-study requirements as well as the waiting or adjustment period. "It's best to check these issues out with a highly-skilled family law attorney because there are also some states that mandate the custodial parent has to be married to the step-parent at least one year before adoption…
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