Practice area · California
Stepparent adoption
Make the parent your child already has a legal parent too.
For married or registered-partner families where a stepparent wants to adopt their partner's child.
Book a consultation Free 20-minute call to startExample fee: $1,800 to $3,500 (flat fee, example range). What's included
In plain words
A stepparent adoption gives your spouse or partner the full legal rights of a parent. It matters for school forms, medical choices, inheritance and travel, and it matters to kids.
It usually needs the consent of the child's other legal parent, or a court finding that consent is not needed. We explain which one applies to you, gently and plainly.
In California, an older child may need to agree to the adoption. We help you plan how to talk about it together.
Situations we help with
- Adopting your spouse's or partner's child
- The other parent agrees to sign
- The other parent can't be found
- The other parent has been absent for years
- After a birth with a donor
- Changing a child's last name
- Older children who want a say
- A new birth certificate afterward
Step by step
How it usually goes
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1
A free 20-minute call
We ask about the other parent, the child's age and your timeline, then tell you honestly how a case like yours usually goes.
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2
Consent or notice
If the other parent agrees, we prepare the consent. If not, we give the notice the law requires and explain your options.
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3
The court's review
The court may ask a social worker to meet your family and write a short report. We tell you what they look for.
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4
The hearing
Often short and happy. We prepare everyone the day before, including the kids.
No lawyer can promise an outcome or a date. Courts, agencies, clinics and other states all move at their own pace. We tell you what we know, when we know it. Things that often change the pace:
- The court's calendar
- Home study scheduling
- Another state's approval
- A party who is hard to reach
- Medical timing
- Records from a clinic or agency
- Another country's paperwork
Example fee
$1,800 to $3,500
Flat fee, example range. Uncontested cases sit inside this range. If the other parent objects, we switch to hourly billing and tell you before we do.
Included
- Petition and consent forms
- Notice to the other parent when needed
- Help with the court's review
- The hearing
Paid separately
- Court filing fees
- Any fee charged for the court's report
- Contested cases (hourly)
Your exact fee is in your plan letter before you sign. Payment plans are available. All fees
Rules differ by place
Consent rules, notice rules and the age at which a child must agree all vary from state to state. If the other parent lives elsewhere, their state's rules can affect how notice is given.
We practice California law, and bring in licensed local counsel when another state or country is involved.
General information
This website is general information, not legal advice. Reading it, calling us or sending a form does not make Kith & Kin your lawyer. That happens only when we both sign an engagement letter.
Questions about stepparent adoption
What if the other parent won't consent?
The case may become contested, and sometimes an adoption is not possible. We look at the facts with you honestly before you spend money on filings.
My spouse gave birth to our child. Is this the right path for us?
Maybe not. Many couples in your situation use a second-parent or confirmatory adoption, or a parentage judgment, instead. We help you pick the right tool.
Does our child's last name have to change?
No. Families choose. If you want a change, it can usually be handled in the same case.
Other paths families take
Free 20-minute call
Talk through your stepparent adoption.
A free 20-minute call with an attorney who does this work every week. You will hear which steps apply to you, what California asks for, and what an example fee of $1,800 to $3,500 would cover.
Prefer to text? (510) 555-0163. Dee replies within one business day.