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Step-Parent Adoptions

Step-parent adoptions are the mostIf you choose to do it yourself, make
common form of child adoptions. Thesesure you know exactly where to turn the
adoptions are usually simpler andpaperwork in. You wouldn't want to be
quicker than other types of adoptionswaiting for a long time only to discover
because many states forego thethat you turned your paperwork in to the
home-study and the waiting or adjustmentwrong court worker and it subsequently
period. Some states require thegot lost. You would have lost all that
custodial parent be married to thetime, work and money already invested
step-parent for at least one year beforeand would have to redo the paperwork.The
the step-parent can file to adopt thenext step is often the longest and most
spouse's children. The custodial parentstressful step, whether you hire a
cannot file the request, or petition,lawyer or not. Itis waiting for your
for the adoption, only the step-parenthearing date. You are usually required
can do that.The first move in ato attend this hearing. This date is
step-parent adoption is familiarizingdecided upon the judge's schedule, your
yourself with your state's adoption law.lawyer's schedule (if you have one) and
This may be done as easily as hiring athe court calendar. Your schedule is
lawyer that specializes in adoptions orrarely taken into account because you
family law or you may choose to do yourare the one requesting this change and
own research and look up the adoptionare expected to take off work whenever
law yourself. Some states require thenotified of a court date.The next step,
adopting parent to be represented by aobviously, is to attend the court
lawyer, so be sure to find thathearing. Court hearings are used to
information out as well. Another pointquestion the parties involved, usually
to take into consideration when decidingto let the judge decide whether this
on a lawyer is, lawyers are able toadoption has been fully considered and
search for cases similar to yours andif the child is old enough, to let him
see what the judges decided in thoseor her tell the judge how he or she
cases and determine if that case wouldfeels about the adoption. Your
be of assistance in getting yourattorney, if you have one, will tell you
adoption approved.The second step in ahow the adoption hearings go in your
step-parent adoption is contacting thecounty and will prepare you for the
court system. You need to find outjudge's questions. At the end of this
which court takes care of adoptions.hearing, the judge will set a
This may be juvenile court, familyfinalization date if he or she believes
court, or surrogacy court, depending onthe adoption is in the best interest of
your state. The court clerk will bethe child.The seventh step is to
able to provide this information to you,finalize your adoption. Your lawyer
free of cost. Once you find the properwill tell you if you are required to
court for adoptions, you need to requestattend this hearing. Most families
adoption information paperwork. Somechoose to attend this hearing because it
courts have this pre-packaged and readyis somewhat of a celebration for them
to mail to you immediately and some dosince it completes their family. At the
not. If your court does not have thisend of the finalization hearing, you
information pre-packaged, make sure youwill receive copies of the adoption
find out whether you need to bedocuments. You may want to request
represented by a lawyer during theextra copies to show the school system
proceedings and where you can get copiesand the government for a new Social
of all the legal documents you willSecurity card, birth certificate,
need.The third step in a step-parentetc.The eighth and final step is to get
adoption is obtaining and completing thethe proper identification documents with
proper legal forms. If you have hired athe child's new name. These are usually
lawyer for this procedure, he or shethe birth certificate and Social
will be able to obtain and assist you inSecurity card. The court clerk will
completing the legal forms. If yousend in paperwork for your child's birth
decide to do this on your own, the courtcertificate to be changed at the
that you contacted in the second stepDepartment of Vital Statistics. After a
will tell you where to obtain the legalpredetermined waiting period, usually 30
forms. Then you fill them out with allto 60 days, you may apply for the
the relevant information. I recommendamended birth certificate. You will
hiring a lawyer for this whole procedurehave to pay a fee for this document.
because legal forms can be veryOnce you receive the birth certificate,
confusing to someone who is unfamiliaryou can apply for the new Social
with the law.The fourth step isSecurity card. Both of these documents
submitting the paperwork to the properusually take four to six weeks to arrive
authorities. If you hire a lawyer, thisafter you have completed the
step will be completed by him or her.application.



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