Step-Parent Adoption
There are many types of adoption, but the one we at Kelsey Law Office see most often is step-parent adoption. Usually in the case of step-parent adoption, one parent has decided not to have a role in the children's lives and a step-parent decides to take on the role of parent emotionally, legally and financially. Step-parent adoptions are permanent. A divorce of the parties does not "cancel" the step-parent adoption.
Adoption is a complicated process, generally requiring the termination of the rights of one parent, background studies and at least one court hearing (which may involve the children).