Adoption
Sacramento Adoption Lawyers
The attorneys of the Louder Law Group are pleased to be of service to clients who wish to expand their families through adoption. The majority of our adoptions involve step parent adoptions and adult adoptions.
Step Parent Adoption
When a child's custodial parent marries or establishes a domestic partnership with someone other than the child's other parent, the step parent may choose to adopt the child. Step parent adoption can give the new family a sense of cohesiveness and unity. It also affords specific rights, protections and obligations under California law.
Step parent adoptions can only take place if the child's other biological parent:
- Agrees to the adoption
- Is missing or dead
- Has abandoned the child
If the other biological parent is available and agrees to the adoption, he or she must consent to the legal termination of all parental rights. After this is accomplished, the step parent is free to adopt his stepson or stepdaughter.
Adult Adoption
California law allows an adult to adopt another unrelated adult who is at least 10 years younger. Adult adoption is often considered as a way to establish inheritance rights between two people who are not related by blood. Because the proposed adoptee is an adult, the consent of his or her biological parents is not required. If the adoptive parent is married or in a domestic partnership, the spouse or partner must agree to the adoption.
Our experienced family law attorneys are available to discuss your concerns about step parent adoption or adult adoption. Please contact us today to arrange a free consultation.
