Can a Stepparent Adopt a Child in Oklahoma?
Step parent adoption Oklahoma allows blended families an opportunity to create a more formal family structure, creating a new bond between stepparent and child. Oklahoma has specific laws and information that may not be discernible to stepparents. To successfully navigate step parent adoption in Oklahoma, many families turn to Lisa R Howard PLLC for advice and assistance with the adoption process.
Stepparent Adoption Process in Oklahoma
The first step in the Oklahoma step parent adoption process is petitioning the courts by filing the proper paperwork. The paperwork can be filed in the county you reside in or the county where the child lives. You could also file in either Oklahoma or Tulsa county. Both you and your spouse need to file paperwork jointly, even if they are the child’s biological parent.
Addiction information about the step parent adoption process in Oklahoma is listed below:
Consent of the Biological Parent
The easiest way to terminate a biological parent’s rights is to have all parties agree to a mutual agreement to terminate the non-custodial parent’s rights. In some cases, this is possible, but every adoption case and situation is different. Termination of rights does not, by itself, end any obligation to continue paying child support.
If the other parent is not alive, all that is needed is the consent of your spouse, the remaining living biological parent. An adoption attorney Oklahoma can help guide you through the process and help with finalizing the permission from the biological parent.
Termination of Parental Rights
Parental rights can only be canceled through a court order. Even with parental consent to terminate parental rights, the rights remain intact until the court officially ends those rights. For example, suppose the biological parent refuses to give up their rights but does not have a relationship with the child. In that case, the court may terminate their parental rights without their consent. A court hearing is required before the judge ends parental rights, and it is highly recommended to have an adoption attorney OKC, present with you.
Final Adoption Orders
Once parental consent is obtained from the non-custodial biological parent (or the Oklahoma Court determines that their consent is not necessary) and all the paperwork is correctly filled out and filed with the courts, the next step is to attend a finalization hearing. During this hearing, questions will be asked about the adoption, and if everything meets the courts’ requirements, they will sign the order formally granting the step parent official and legal rights to the child’s parent. We try to make finalization hearings as fun as possible for families and work hard to bring a photographer to every final hearing.
Once complete, the step parent will now take the role of parent, with all the rights and responsibilities of a birth parent.
After the Adoption is Approved
After the step parent adoption is complete, it is time to change the child’s birth certificate. The final adoption decree must reflect any last name changes for the child. To amend the birth certificate, send a copy of the final decree to the Oklahoma State Department of Health. Once received, they will make any necessary changes to state records and, if requested, can send you a copy of the updated birth certificate.
How an Attorney Can Help You
Adoption lawyers OKC can help with every step of the step parent adoption. When meeting with your attorney for the first time, you will discuss the adoption process and all parties involved. The attorney can help handle the paperwork regarding parental consent or file paperwork necessary to have the courts terminate the other parent’s rights. Additionally, your attorney can help file all paperwork with the courts and appear with you at all hearings.
Once the adoption is approved, your attorney can help you file the necessary paperwork with the Oklahoma State Department of Health to amend your child’s birth certificate and change their last name.
Your adoption attorney Tulsa will be by your side, answering all of your questions and handling all legal matters involved in Oklahoma’s step parent adoption process.
If you and your spouse are considering a step parent adoption, call the office of Lisa R Howard PLLC today to schedule an appointment. Our family law attorney can explain the step parent adoption process and show you how we can help you. We are dedicated to helping our clients experience a peaceful adoption process.