Adopting a stepchild is the most common form of adoption. A stepparent who adopts agrees to become the legal parent and be fully responsible for his or her spouse’s child. After the stepparent adoption occurs, the noncustodial parent (the parent not living with the child) no longer has any rights or responsibilities for the child, including child support.
Read MoreEvery state has laws providing for the termination of parental rights by a court. Termination ends the legal parent-child relationship. Once the relationship has been terminated, the child is legally free to be placed for adoption.
Read MoreApproximately 1/3 of adoptions in the United States involve foreign-born children. The process of international adoption will vary with the child’s birth country.
Read MoreMost adoptions are lengthy, expensive and emotional. Like all family law, adoption is a product of state law. However, most states have very similar adoption laws.
Read MoreService members on active duty, including Reserve Component members who are called to active duty for 180 or more consecutive days, are eligible to request reimbursement for qualifying adoption expenses related to adoption of a child under 18 years of age.
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