Stepparent Rights / Stepparent Adoptions

Southern California Family Law Attorney

Enhancing the Rights of Stepparents - Through Visitation or Adoption

Today's "normal" family no longer consists of two kids, two natural parents, and the family pet. It is becoming more and more common for a stepparent to play a significant role in the child's life. Therefore, it is important to consider what legal rights the stepparent has as well as the parental rights of the non-custodial natural parent - and most importantly, the rights of the child.

At the Law Offices of John A. Balent, we assist clients with stepparent rights and stepparent adoptions in Southern California. Contact our Brea, California, law firm to schedule a free initial consultation with an experienced lawyer.

Family law attorney John A. Balent, has decades of experience helping families through complicated issues that arise after divorce and remarriage.

• Stepparent adoptions: Sometimes one of the natural parents does not take an active role in the child's life - visitation is ignored and it is almost as if the parent does not exist. After remarriage of the natural parent with primary custody, the stepparent may play a big part in the nurturing, care, and support to the child. In these cases, it may be in the best interests of the child to sever ties to the biological parent that has not showed interest in their care. We can assist clients with the termination of the biological parent's rights and stepparent adoption.
• Stepparent visitation rights: Even though, for whatever reason (divorce, death of the natural parent, etc.) the stepparent is no longer responsible for the upbringing of the child, the stepparent may obtain rights to visitation. Depending on the role the stepparent played in the care and nurturing of the child, it may be traumatic on the child to completely sever this relationship. We can assist clients in petitioning for visitation rights.

If you have questions about stepparent adoptions or about stepparents' rights, consult with a skilled family lawyer. Contact our Southern California law firm for a free initial consultation with attorney John A. Balent.