Stepparent Adoption Law in Ohio
A stepparent is someone's parent who is not their adoptive or biological parent. For example, a stepfather would be the male spouse of a child's mother. Are you searching for a caring, experienced stepparent adoption attorney in Columbus, Ohio, and surrounding areas? Attorney Shannon Dawes' mission is to provide adoption services that provide loving homes for children while meeting our clients' needs.
In the State of Ohio, prospective adoptive stepparents may be able to adopt their stepchild(ren) under certain circumstances. The gift of adoption can provide children with the security and safety they might not normally have.
The principal difference between a public adoption and a private adoption is that the birth parent's rights will be terminated. In most cases, private adoptions are faster than agency adoptions in Ohio. Agency adoptions in Ohio are handled outside of court, and the adoption agency does not always provide the birth mother with an attorney. In a stepparent adoption, the legal custody of the child will move from the biological parent to the adopting stepparent.
In Ohio, prospective adoptive stepparents do not always understand how complex the adoption process and stepparent adoption laws are. At Dawes Legal LLC, our legal professionals ensure that all procedures are followed correctly, all adoption documents are filed properly, and effectively represent you and your spouse in court.
Grandparents and stepparents are required to follow the same adoption process as other adoptive parents. In Ohio, as long as the stepparent has been married to their child's biological parent for at least one year, the stepparent can begin the adoption process. However, the biological parent, who would lose their legal parental rights, must consent to the stepparent adoption unless that parent has inexcusably not contacted their child for at least one year.
Stepparent Adoption Consultation with Dawes Legal LLC
When you have questions or need assistance with an Ohio stepparent adoption, contact Dawes Legal, LLC at (614) 733- 9999.
Dawes Legal, LLC – Columbus Office
169 E Livingston Ave
Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 733- 9999
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Dawes Legal, LLC – Lancaster Office
329 E. Main Street
Lancaster, OH 43130
(740) 300-9999
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