Step-adoption in accordance with Florida law gives a person who married into an existing family full and equal parental rights and responsibilities over his or her stepchild. This adoption is finalized and granted through a court order called a Final Judgment of Step Parent Adoption. After this process has been completed, it will be as if the child were born to the natural parent and step-parent. The name of the child will also be changed on the birth certificate to reflect the names of both parents.
This is a way to formalize and legalize parental relationships that are already in place. After all, stepparents function in many ways like a parent of the child. This just makes it legally valid and binding under Chapter 63 of the Florida statutes.
Los pasos involucrados en el proceso
El primer paso en el proceso de adopción de padrastros es determinar la elegibilidad del padrastro para adoptar. Se debe presentar una petición que incluya la siguiente información:
- La fecha y el lugar de nacimiento del niño.
- El nombre que se le debe dar al niño en caso de que se cambie.
- La declaración de cuánto tiempo ha vivido el padrastro o madrastra con el niño.
- Las razones por las que el padrastro quiere adoptar al niño.
El proceso se inicia una vez que se ha presentado la petición, momento en el que el padre ausente tiene la oportunidad de oponerse a la adopción. Si no hay oposición, el tribunal finalizará la adopción.
¿Por qué tengo que adoptar?
Marriage alone does not give a person parental rights over a child. Legally, you are unable to consider the child yours until you have officially completed the stepparent adoption process.
¿El consentimiento de quién necesitaría adoptar?
A stepparent does not have an independent right to adopt. In many cases, the absent parent must consent to the adoption before their rights are terminated. There are, however, exemptions made in cases where that person cannot be found or has abandoned the child.
No matter the case, however, you will still need the consent and support of your spouse.
¿Qué se considera abandono infantil en el estado de Florida?
When a legal parent of the child makes little or no provision for the child’s support or makes little or no effort to communicate with the child despite being able to, this is known as child abandonment. Essentially, abandonment is established when a parent acts in a way that demonstrates an intent to reject parental responsibilities.
Incluso si el padre en cuestión decide intentar la comunicación y algún apoyo, un juez puede dictaminar que tales esfuerzos son solo marginales. Esto significa que estos esfuerzos no pretenden demostrar un propósito establecido de asumir todos los deberes de los padres. En ese caso, un juez aún puede considerar a ese niño como abandonado legalmente.
¿Cuánto tiempo tarda el proceso?
If all parties are available and the absent parent consents to the adoption, the process may take one to two months. It may take longer depending on extenuating circumstances.
¿Cuánto tiempo tiene que estar ausente una persona antes de que se considere que ha abandonado a su hijo?
There is no set time limit before a child is considered abandoned. The judge in the adoption case will investigate the facts and try to make a judgment based on the bigger picture of the situation.
Pensamientos finales
The creation and legalization of new families is always a wonderful thing. While it can be a legal challenge at times, it is a worthwhile endeavor, as it can be a wonderful step forward for any new parent and their child. After all, families are sometimes found and created in unconventional ways.
If you’re looking for a Abogado de familia con sede en Floridapara ayudarlo a formalizar su familia, llámenos a Parra Harris Law. Entendemos que la familia es importante y nos tomamos muy en serio el derecho de familia.
