For a variety of reasons, there are numerous people and couples throughout Oklahoma who strongly consider and have the urge to adopt.
The Tulsa family law firm of Fry & Elder realizes this and wishes to answer some of the more commonly asked Oklahoma adoption questions in the realm of family law.
If I wish to adopt my spouse’s birth children, how difficult and timely is the process of adopting stepchildren?
This is one of the most frequently asked Oklahoma adoption questions and for good reason.
It is not as lengthy as some other adoptions, but there generally will be a waiting period involved and multiple steps that will need to be a taken and made throughout the process.
Some of these might include home visits and adoption hearings as ordered by the court. Usually the most difficult challenge that comes with someone wanting to adopt stepchildren is getting consent from the other birth parent.
Is it absolutely mandatory that for me to adopt my stepchild I must obtain consent from the other birth parent?
Contrary to what many believe, adoptions in Oklahoma of stepchildren can be made even if the other birth parent objects to this.
Certain conditions must be met, which include the adopting couple being married for at least one year. Also, the court’s decision will be heavily weighed on whether the other biological parent has paid child support within the last year or not.
There are ways to terminate the other birth parent’s parental rights. These usually stem from the parent being judged unfit or having abandoned the child, which often leads to many more Oklahoma adoption questions.
How is abandonment defined?
Typically, abandonment is defined by the court when a biological parent has not communicated or provided financial support to the child.
If a biological parent has abandoned the child for an extensive amount of time or repeatedly has failed to provide child support then his or her parental rights could be terminated.
A Tulsa Law Firm Which Cares and Fights for its Clients
Should you have any additional Oklahoma adoption questions or about the adoption legal process, please do not hesitate to contact the Tulsa family law firm of Fry & Elder.
The firm has been named to the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Law Firms list from 2014-2018. Its lineup of decorated attorneys are some of the most highly regarded in the state and include the following:
- A 2019 Best Lawyers® Selection
- One of only 19 attorneys in the state to be a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
- Best Lawyers® 2016 Lawyer of the Year for Family Law in Oklahoma
- Two attorneys recognized by Super Lawyers®
- Two attorneys AV® Preeminent Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell®
- A 2017 Significant Sig Award Winner
Contact Fry & Elder today to set up a personal consultation with a proven and experienced Oklahoma adoption attorney.