Stepparent Adoption Attorney Asheville NC | Adoptions Lawyer North Carolina

A New Life and New Family after Divorce

After a divorce decree is granted, it is not unusual for people to remarry and start blended families. A stepparent may wish to adopt the child of his or her formerly divorced spouse, who now lives with his or her custodial birthparent and the stepparent. By pursuing adoption, a stepparent gains the rights of a birthparent such as making decisions about health care and the child's school. New responsibilities include providing child support and meeting the costs of health care.

The lawyers at The Moore Law Office in Asheville, North Carolina, have helped many families with stepparent adoption. We have the experience and knowledge to help create a successful outcome, no matter how complicated the legal issues. For a confidential consultation with an attorney, contact our firm.

Parental Rights

Before a stepparent adoption can go forward, the parental rights of the relinquishing parent must be terminated. If consent is readily given, the adoption petition may be filed, followed by a home study performed by the North Carolina Department of Social Services. If the clerk of court approves the petition, a new birth certificate for the child is released, and a new family is created.

A birthparent may object to the adoption. Then we need to pursue the difficult task of terminating their parental rights. There are a number of reasons why the court may approve terminating parental rights, including:

Abandonment
Failure to visit
Failure to pay child support
Inability to care for the child due to drug or alcohol addiction

When stepparent adoption becomes complicated, it is helpful to retain learned counsel for a positive outcome. Our attorneys have more than 45 years of combined legal experience in family law and adoption. Thanks to our background in litigation, we are comfortable getting tough in the courtroom and pursuing our clients' best interests — no matter what.

Third Party Adoptions and Interstate Adoptions

The Moore Law Office, PPLC, has experience in third party adoptions as well as interstate adoptions. If grandparents wish to pursue adoption in cases where the birthparents are unable to care for their children, we can provide adoption counsel.