Can stepparents adopt a child?

Yes, stepparents can adopt a child in New Hampshire. According to the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, when a stepparent petitions to adopt a legal dependent of their spouse, the process is much simpler than that of unrelated adoptions. When the non-custodial parent has had their parental rights terminated, the court may grant the adoption without their consent, as long as the individual has completed a home study and is found to be a suitable parent. The court may also require the stepparent to provide the non-custodial parent with notice of the adoption proceedings. In a stepparent adoption, the stepparent is allowed to adopt the child without having to terminate the legal parental relationship of the biological parent. This means that both the stepparent and the biological parent will have legal responsibility for the child, and both will be able to make decisions regarding the child’s upbringing. It is important to note, however, that the biological parent’s parental rights must be terminated before the stepparent can adopt the child. Stepparent adoptions offer a child the opportunity to be part of a stable family. This is beneficial for both the child and the parents, as it allows for better communication and understanding between the child and their new stepparent. Stepparent adoptions can also give the child financial and emotional security and provide a sense of permanence that they may not have had previously.

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Can stepparents adopt a child?

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