Hello, my name is Mark Joseph and I'm a South Florida family law attorney and this is step parent adoption 101 The idea of this video came from one of you who requested that I do a video attacking this topic So if you or anyone else that you know may have a question send it to me and I'll prepare a video answering that question So what is step parent adoption? As a name was suggest it is when a step parent would decide to adopt a minor child who is not common to their new spouse Let's say that mom and dad For previously married and then got a divorce In this divorce they entered a parenting plan because they have a minor child And as part of that parenting plan mom would have the majority of the time with the minor child and dad would have some time but not as much Couple of years pass after the divorce and mom meets the new man. Let's say step dad Mom and step dad now get married In the process Dad began to not spend as much time with the minor child however step dad started become a more active member in the minor child's life And eventually it got to the point where step dad and mom started discussing whether it be a good idea to have step dad adopt the minor child In Florida most individuals are allowed to adopt so long they don't have a physical or mental handicap which would prevent them from being an effective parent The step parent must be married to one of the legal parents of that minor child prior to that step parent adoption In most cases the simpler ones the other parent would consent To the adoption and was put in writing and memorialize it with a notary stamp as well Step parent adoptions are usually done by the consent of all the parties mom dad and step dad or through the termination Of the parental rights of one of the parents who is not seeking the adoption Or the abandonment by that same parent. It is of course public policy minor child or children have a positive upbringing in bond with both of their parents However Indian likely or unfortunate circumstance in which one of the parents are not as involved with that child And the other parent has remarried or gotten married to someone else who wants to be involved in that child's life The court would make deference to allowing that new parent to have the same rights and obligations To that minor child or children That being said one thing to consider is Once the step parent adoption goes through That other parent has those rights and obligations So if in the unlikely circumstance that those parties get divorced they can Request time sharing and have shared parental responsibility As reference in my previous videos And they would be obligated to child support as well Although adopting a minor child is an amazing experience It could have its downfalls if you're not in it for the long haul Although a step parent adoption Can be simplified in that a lot of the forms are available online I do highly suggest getting a legal opinion from an attorney On moving forward with such an action So if you or someone you know is considering a step parent adoption Contact my office will sit you now for a consultation And if you have any other questions In regards to this topic or any other topic feel free to message me on any of my social media platforms And I'll either respond directly or will make a video discussing them at it And like subscribe and look at some of our other videos My name is Mark Joseph. Thank you for watching