It is natural to love and grow attached to children in your family, whether they are your actual biological children or step-children. And you may even wish to provide them with a stable parental foundation if they do not have one already. If you are a step-parent and would like to adopt your partner's biological child or children, you must proceed through the legal process to complete the adoption.
If the biological parent is still alive, the parent must agree to terminate their parental rights. Alternatively, a trial on the issue of terminating parental rights must be held. Because biological parents have certain rights, you cannot avoid the necessary steps required by the court, no matter your current role in the child or children's lives.
Next, you have to prove your fitness to parent the child to the court – this may mean both financial and logistical requirements of parenting. This step is usually not as burdensome unless you have a criminal background; however, even persons with criminal backgrounds can adopt it under the right circumstances.
Contact Our Schaumburg IL Law Firm
Do you have more questions on the adoption process in Cook County? Please contact our Schaumburg, IL, law firm for a consultation.