Stepparent Adoption Attorney in Macomb County

Often in second marriages people commonly utilize the adoption process in Michigan adopt their spouse’s child or children as their own. At Paul S. Kowal, P.C., our Macomb County stepparent adoption attorney can help you complete this process. We can guide you through the court system to ensure you obtain a favorable result to your case.

We serve residents of Clinton Township, Sterling Heights,, Macomb Township, Shelby Township, Utica, and the surrounding areas. Call our office at (586) 333-3446 to schedule your appointment today. 

The Michigan Stepparent Adoption Process

Generally, in Michigan an adopting stepparent should be married to the child’s biological parent for at least 1 year before petitioning the court to adopt. The courts want to make sure that the marriage is likely to last, as that is in the best interests of the children.

To begin the adoption process, a petition must be filed and the following documents need to be attached:

• Your address
• The social security numbers of the birth parents and child
• Each relevant party’s driver’s license number
• A certified copy of each relevant party’s birth certificate
• A certified copy of the marriage certificate
• Certified copies of any divorce decrees
• A certified copy of a birth parent’s death certificate (if applicable)
• A true copy of an Affidavit of Parentage (if applicable)
• A true copy of a support order (if applicable)
• A certified copy of any other relevant documents

If the other biological parent of the child is still living, their parental rights will have to be terminated, either voluntarily or involuntarily. Your attorney will advise you of what you need to do to in order to terminate their parental rights.

Parental rights may be terminated if all of the following can be proven:

• The parent married to the stepparent has sole legal custody of the child
• The other parent has a record of failing to provide child support for at least 2 consecutive years
• The other parent has a record of failing to uphold a child custody arrangement for at least 2 consecutive years

It is best if the other biological parent will voluntarily consent to the adoption. A parent-child relationship is very important and even if the other parent failed to communicate or provide support for 2 consecutive years, some courts are reluctant to terminate that parent’s rights.

Contact Our Macomb County Stepparent Adoption Attorney Today

When you choose to work with Paul S. Kowal, P.C., you are choosing to work with an attorney who has over 30 years of family law experience. This means you can expect him to provide comprehensive and reliable legal advice and guidance.

Call our office directly at (586) 333-3446 or fill out our online contact form to schedule your free initial consultation.