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Step-Parent Adoptions in Maryland and Washington, D.C.
"Adoption Love: One gave me up in order for the other to lift me up and give me the life I was born to have." Source: Aandra
Blended families are quite common, so it it no surprise that stepparents and their stepchildren often develop a special bond with one another. Stepparents often desire to formalize that relationship for a variety of reasons, whether it is to promote stability and permanence in the relationship, for financial reasons (such as to obtain insurance coverage for a stepchild), or to simplify everyday tasks requiring a legal relationship (such as involvement at school, medical appointments, etc.). In a stepparent adoption, a stepparent adopts their stepchild, with the consent of their spouse, thereby terminating the parental rights, privileges, and responsibilities of the other parent. The spouse will retain all of their parental rights and the stepparent becomes the legal parent of the spouse's child, with all of its accompanying rights, privileges, and obligations. The child will now possess all of the rights that a biological child would have, including the right to inherit from the new parent. All rights and responsibilities (including child support) of the other parent will be terminated when the adoption is granted.
Regardless of the age of the stepchild, the adoption will only be granted in Maryland and D.C. after the parent whose rights are being terminated receives notice of the proposed adoption and an opportunity to participate in the proceedings. That parent can be notified and consent to the adoption in one of several ways. The easiest way is to obtain their written consent. In some cases, however, a parent may be unwilling to sign a written consent or their whereabouts may be unknown. In such cases, the court will issue a notice to be served on the parent giving that parent an opportunity to object to the adoption. In Maryland, if that parent fails to file a timely objection within 30-90 days of being served with a copy of the show cause order, depending on where service occurs, that parent will be deemed to have consented to the adoption and the adoption can be finalized. In D.C., that parent will need to appear in court or file a timely objection with the court where the adoption case is pending. If the identity of a birth father is unknown, the court will order the parent to be served by publishing a notice of the proceeding in a newspaper and posting it online (in Maryland) or through the court (in D.C.). Assuming no objection is filed within the time permitted, the adoption can be finalized. If a parent receives notice of and objects to the adoption, it may still be possible to proceed with adoption; however, the court's determination will be based on the best interests of the child.
In addition to the consent of the child's parents, depending on the age of the child, the child may also be required to consent to the adoption. Maryland requires the consent of the children age 10 and older, whereas D.C. requires consent for children age 14 and older.
After the adoption is finalized, a new birth certificate will be issued substituting the step parent's name for the parent whose rights were terminated. If a name change was requested as part of the adoption process, the child's name will also be changed on the birth certificate.
If you would like more information on step-parent adoptions in Maryland and Washington, D.C., please contact Sheri today.
Regardless of the age of the stepchild, the adoption will only be granted in Maryland and D.C. after the parent whose rights are being terminated receives notice of the proposed adoption and an opportunity to participate in the proceedings. That parent can be notified and consent to the adoption in one of several ways. The easiest way is to obtain their written consent. In some cases, however, a parent may be unwilling to sign a written consent or their whereabouts may be unknown. In such cases, the court will issue a notice to be served on the parent giving that parent an opportunity to object to the adoption. In Maryland, if that parent fails to file a timely objection within 30-90 days of being served with a copy of the show cause order, depending on where service occurs, that parent will be deemed to have consented to the adoption and the adoption can be finalized. In D.C., that parent will need to appear in court or file a timely objection with the court where the adoption case is pending. If the identity of a birth father is unknown, the court will order the parent to be served by publishing a notice of the proceeding in a newspaper and posting it online (in Maryland) or through the court (in D.C.). Assuming no objection is filed within the time permitted, the adoption can be finalized. If a parent receives notice of and objects to the adoption, it may still be possible to proceed with adoption; however, the court's determination will be based on the best interests of the child.
In addition to the consent of the child's parents, depending on the age of the child, the child may also be required to consent to the adoption. Maryland requires the consent of the children age 10 and older, whereas D.C. requires consent for children age 14 and older.
After the adoption is finalized, a new birth certificate will be issued substituting the step parent's name for the parent whose rights were terminated. If a name change was requested as part of the adoption process, the child's name will also be changed on the birth certificate.
If you would like more information on step-parent adoptions in Maryland and Washington, D.C., please contact Sheri today.
Sheri A. Mullikin
3165 Caveat Ct., Mount Airy, MD 21771
Office: (240) 394-9544
[email protected]
Proudly providing adoption law services in central Maryland and Washington, D.C. since 2008, including the following cities: Eldersburg, Westminster, Finksburg, Sykesville, Taneytown, Frederick, and Urbana.
3165 Caveat Ct., Mount Airy, MD 21771
Office: (240) 394-9544
[email protected]
Proudly providing adoption law services in central Maryland and Washington, D.C. since 2008, including the following cities: Eldersburg, Westminster, Finksburg, Sykesville, Taneytown, Frederick, and Urbana.