PUBLIC DOCUMENTS PLUS
A Legal Document Preparation Service You Can
Trust.
Phone: (818) 340-4640
e-mail: info@publicdocumentsplus.com
PUBLIC DOCUMENTS PLUS
A Legal Document Preparation Service You Can
Trust.
Phone: (818) 340-4640
21243 Ventura Blvd., Suite 140
Woodland Hills, CA 91364
SE HABLA ESPANOL
A step-child adoption is the adoption of a minor
child born to a spouse from a prior marriage or relationship. An adoption
creates a legal parent-child relationship between the adopting parent and
the step-child. The adopting parent permanently becomes responsible for
the health and welfare of the minor child while the child has inheritance
right of the adopting parent. The same relationship continues into the
minor child’s adulthood.
STEP CHILD ADOPTION
In California there are three main types of procedures for adopting a
stepchild. Which one you may follow depends on the circumstances in your
family.
IF THE ABSENT PARENT (THE MINOR’S TRUE PARENT) CONSENTS: If your
stepchild’s absent parent consents to the adoption or is deceased, then
the process is relatively simple. You would file the adoption Petition
with the Court within your county. After the completion of a investigation
questionnaire, you will be contacted by the local Social Service agency.
At the conclusion of their investigation, the Social Service agency will
file with the Court their recommendations. A short Court hearing will take
place and upon the recommendations of the Social Service agency, an order
of an adoption decree will be granted and you will be ordered the adopting
parent.
IF THE ABSENT PARENT CANNOT BE FOUND: If the step-child’s absent parent
cannot be located, the process then becomes more complex. You must first
try to locate the missing parent. If you cannot locate the absent parent,
you may be required to publish in a newspaper a Citation for Adoption.
Additionally, you may need to claim, in documentation filed with the
Court, that the absent parent abandoned the child or willfully failed to
meet his parental obligations. The County Social Services Department and
the Court must approve the adoption.
IF THE ABSENT PARENT WILL NOT CONSENT: If your step-child’s absent parent
will not consent to the adoption, you may not be able to adopt your
step-child. A legal parent who is in contact with and supports the child
and contests the adoption Petition can prevent the adoption. If the absent
parent will not consent but does not contest the adoption in Court, you
may still be able to adopt.
You can represent yourself in the adoption proceedings. With the help of
PUBLIC DOCUMENTS PLUS in the preparation of your documents, you may
experience the court process to be an easy and joyous experience.
CALL US AND LET US ASSIST YOU
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