Tampa & Orlando Stepparent Adoption Attorney 

Florida Adoption Lawyers Since 2017

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At the Tampa, Florida law firm of The Soliman Law Firm, we are experienced Tampa adoption attorneys helping stepparents, as well as other relatives, such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, sisters, brothers who wish to adopt. We are experienced with the legal procedures that stepparent and relative adoption involve and we are also skilled at building a strong case when a biological parent contests the adoption. Abandonment as defined by the Florida Statutes is a criteria for granting an adoption despite an objection from the birth parent.

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Adult Stepparent & Relative Adoption Lawyers

Furthermore, an adult eighteen and older may also be adopted in circumstances where the ” parents” want to make him or her officially, legally a member of the family.

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Stepchild or Relative Adoptions

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Stepchild or relative adoptions generally proceed smoothly if the biological parent consents to the adoption or if the birth parent does not respond to the Petition, or if the birth parent cannot be found, then a default may be entered and the adoption will proceed without the biological parent. If there is consent or a default, then only statutory requirements must be met to allow the adoption to occur. If it is possible the birth parent will object to the adoption, we will advise you initially as to what will happen if the natural parent objects to the adoption, and whether the facts in your situation are or are not favorable to overcome the objection.

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The adoption becomes more complicated when a birth parent contests the adoption action. In the case of a contested adoption, we must prove that the parent was able to, but has failed to provide support and to communicate with the child over a significant amount of time. Statutorily, this is called abandonment. Proof of the biological parent’s abandonment of the child and “intent to reject parental responsibilities” is necessary for the transfer by the judge of parental rights and responsibilities from the biological parent to the adopted parents.

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Benefits of Adoption

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The adoption of a child or adult can provide many benefits to both the adoptee and the adoptive parent, including the following:

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• The child becomes legally a member of the family.

• Once the adoption occurs, the adopted child or adult and his or her “adopted” siblings have full and equal inheritance rights, precluding complicated wills and preventing inheritance disputes.

• When the adoption is final, if there are any child support orders in effect, the obligor’s child support obligation will terminate. However, any outstanding child support arranges are not terminated and can be collected. It may be possible for the birth mother to sign an affidavit to terminate past child support arranges.

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Our Tampa adoption lawyers serving Tampa and all of Tampa Bay will help you step by step through the adoption process and keep you informed to simplify it as much as possible for you.  There is usually much celebration at the conclusion of an adoption and we enjoy being a part of it!

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Contact The Soliman Law Firm by e-mail, text or call 813-784-1721or CLICKING HERE for a free initial consultation by telephone to discuss your options for Stepparent Adoption Case. 

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We represent divorce clients in the Florida cities including Tampa, Orlando, Clearwater, Brandon, Riverview, Hyde Park, South Tampa, Ybor City, Northdale, Valrico, Gibsonton, Lithia, Mango, Palm River, Plant City, Seffner, Sun City Center, Wimauma, Apollo Beach, Ruskin, Temple Terrace, Carrollwood, Northdale, Westchase, Citrus Park, Town N Country, Thonotosassa, Lutz, Fish Hawk, New Tampa, St. Petersburg, Palm Harbor, MacDill Air Force Base and all of Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco Counties. We will also represent clients in Polk, Hernando, Sarasota, Orange, Ocala and Osceola Counties.