Adoption is a legal process where a person, or persons, assume the role of a parent, usually of a minor child, but in some circumstances an adult may be adopted.  In our ever changing society family dynamics are in flux, and there are many children being reared by persons that are not their natural parents, from grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends of the family, and step-parents.  Adoption is a permanent legal process for the non-natural (biological) parent to step into the legal role of the parent.

There are generally two types of adoptions: a new family adoption, and step-parent adoption. A step-parent adoption is where the step-parent assumes the legal parenting role but still preserves the legal ties with the natural parent that is married to the step-parent.  For example, a step-father assumes the father role, and the mother’s natural parent rights are preserved and remain intact.  A new family adoption involves two new parents and all legal ties are severed from the natural parents (mother and father).

Adoption is a special time and step in the legal process of making your family legally whole.  Being a parent is far more than a DNA bond.  Instead, it is being there for the daily parenting of a child, and making major life decisions for your child regarding their education, religion, medical treatments, and even tax and inheritance rights.  Adoption is important to establishing legal rights when a person or persons have stepped into the shoes of a natural parent or desire to continue to do so.  At Schmeltzer Law, I will help you to understand the adoption process and work through the legal process to help you achieve your family’s legal goals.