Families change. In this modern world, they are more complex than ever. One thing, however, holds true: the love of parents for their children. At the Robertson Law Firm, PLLC, we honor this love by representing parents throughout Arkansas in legal matters related to stepparent adoption.
Contested and Uncontested Stepparent Adoptions
Most of stepparent adoptions handled by our Arkansas law firm are uncontested. Usually, the other biological parent has been totally absent for a long time and a new stepparent has assumed a meaningful role in the life of the child.
However, some stepparent adoptions are contested. In a contested adoption, the stakes can be high. The adoption effectively terminates the biological parent's parental rights and makes all other relatives on that side of the family “legal strangers.”
At the Robertson Law Firm, PLLC, we handle both contested and uncontested stepparent adoptions and other matters involving legal custody as well as physical child custody as part of our full-service family law practice. We understand that each case is unique, so we tailor our approach to meet your specific needs.
Stepparent Adoption Proceedings
When a stepparent petitions the court for a stepparent adoption, the other biological parent must be served and have notice of the adoption petition having been filed and the ultimate hearing. The biological parent may contest the adoption, but there are instances where the court will not require the biological parent’s consent such as in the instance of alleged abandonment, which Arkansas law defines as a lack of significant contact or support for one year or longer. The best way to understand what the court may require in your situation is to talk with one of our Little Rock stepparent adoption lawyers about your situation.
Contact a Perceptive Benton Family Law Attorney
Contact the Robertson Law Firm, PLLC, by calling 501-588-4451 or 866-311-3815 to schedule a free initial consultation about stepparent adoption. Dedicated to providing cost-effective legal representation, our lawyers accept Visa and MasterCard. Payment plans are available.
