Stepparent Adoption
Sometimes when one biological parent gets married (or remarried), it is in the child's best interest for the new spouse to adopt the child by doing a Stepparent Adoption. Often times the other biological parent has had little involvement in the child's life, and does not pay child support (or is in arrears). In the typical step-parent adoption case, the step-parent is eager to take responsibility for parenting the child, and the uninvolved biological parent is eager to shed responsibility for the child. Some stepparent adoptions, however, result in contested litigation because the uninvolved biological parent does not wish to relinquish his or her parental rights.
Adult Adoptions
Adult adoptions are when one adult adopts another adult. Usually it is for one of the following reasons: 1) A foster child, or step-child, may wish to be adopted because of a close relationship. 2) An adult adoptee may choose to be adopted by a biological parent after learning their identity. 3) A way to create inheritance rights.
Private Independent Adoptions
In a private independent adoption, the birth parent(s) and the adoptive parents, agree to the adoption. If the adoption concerns an unborn child, the adoptive parents often have contact with the birth parents prior to birth. The adoptive parents may also have the opportunity to be involved with the pregnacy, and sometimes be present for the birth. In fact, building a relationship with the birth parents is an important part of the adoption process because it builds trust and confidence in the adoptive parents paving the way for the adoption to occur as planned. Upon birth, the adoptive child is placed in the care of the adoptive parents.
Re-Adoption of Children Adopted Internationally
If a child was adopted outside of the United States, it may be necessary to re-adopt the child in your home state, as it may be a requirement of the international adoption agency. Other times certain countries only grant guardianship of the child, so an adoption is required to finalize the adoption. Nonetheless, it should be done to protect your legal rights to the child.