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Omaha Stepparent Adoption Attorneys

Omaha Stepparent Adoption Attorneys

Omaha Stepparent Adoption Lawyer

Adoption is one of the most gracious and permanent ways to show your love for a child. This is especially true for stepparents entering a new family unit with their spouse and stepchild. On a personal level, the process can be extremely emotional because you are legally declaring your intention to parent your stepchild. However, with this act of love comes great responsibility and a lengthy legal process. Laws regarding adoption, both state and federal, are constantly changing and evolving to streamline the process and protect the best interests of the child. This can make it difficult for the average person to navigate the system alone. Working with a family law attorney specializing in stepparent adoption In Omaha, Nebraska can ease the legal burdens so you can focus on what’s important—your new family.

Omaha Adoption Attorneys Proudly Representing New Families

At Stange Law Firm, our attorneys understand the complexities of stepparent adoption and are here to help you every step of the way. We have successfully represented many clients in stepparent adoptions and are passionate about helping families grow. Whether you are just starting to consider the adoption process or have already started, we can provide guidance and support for the exact stage you are in. Reach out to our team of Omaha family law attorneys today and see just how easy the process can be.

How Do I Adopt My Stepchild ?

The first step in any stepparent adoption is to file a Petition for Adoption with the court. This document will include the names and contact information for yourself, your new spouse, and your soon-to-be official stepchild. Once the petition is filed, the court will set a date for a hearing. At the hearing, you and your spouse will be sworn in and asked a series of questions by the judge to ensure that the adoption is in the child’s best interest. After the hearing, the court will issue a Decree of Adoption, which is the final legal document that completes the process.

What Are the Requirements for Stepparent Adoption in Omaha?

The requirements for stepparent adoption in the state are as follows:

  • You must be married to the child’s biological parent.
  • You must be at least 21 years of age.
  • You must reside in the state.
  • The child must have resided in your home for at least six months.
  • The child must be under the age of 18.
 

If these requirements are not yet met, you will likely need to focus on building your relationship with your stepchild and wait until they have lived in your home for the necessary amount of time. Once the six-month mark has passed, you can then begin the legal process of adoption.

Who Can Be Adopted in Omaha?

In Nebraska, any child under the age of 18 can be adopted, regardless of whether they are related to the adoptive parent or not. This includes stepchildren, foster children, and children who have been orphaned. The most important factor, however, is that any adoption must be in the child’s best interests.

Factors that indicate whether an adoption is in the best interest of the child may include:

  • The child’s age
  • The child’s relationship with their biological parent and custody arrangement
  • The child’s relationship with their adoptive parent
  • The stability of the child’s home life
  • Divorce-related factors, including the living situation of any siblings the child may have
  • The financial stability of the adoptive parent
  • The criminal history of the adoptive parent
  • Any special needs of the child
 

Some factors that could indicate to the court that an adoption is not in the best interest of the child may include:

  • The child is over the age of 14 and objects to the adoption.
  • The child has a close relationship with a sibling who is not being adopted.
  • The child has a close relationship with another family member who is not related to the adoptive parent.
  • The child has a close relationship with their foster family.
 

If you are considering adopting a child who falls into any of these categories, it is important to speak with an experienced Omaha family law matters attorney to discuss your legal options and whether the adoption is likely to be in the best interest of the child.

What Are the Benefits of Stepparent Adoption?

Stepparent adoption has many benefits, both for the child and the adoptive parent. The child will gain a new legal relationship with their adoptive parent, which can give them a sense of security and belonging. The child will also gain access to their adoptive parent’s medical and financial resources. In some cases, the child may even be able to take the adoptive parent’s last name.

The adoptive parent will also gain legal rights and responsibilities for their new stepchild. This includes the right to make decisions about the child’s education, medical care, and religious upbringing. The adoptive parent will also be financially responsible for the child and will be able to pass on their inheritance to the child. They are essentially gaining the same rights as if the child were their biological offspring.

Why Do I Need an Adoption Lawyer?

The adoption process can be complex, and it is important to have an experienced Omaha family law attorney on your side to guide you through the process and protect your rights. An attorney can help you:

  • Determine if you meet the requirements for adoption
  • File the necessary paperwork with the court
  • Serve notice to the child’s biological parent
  • Obtain the consent of the child’s biological parent
  • Represent you in court
  • Handle any appeals
  • Obtain the final adoption decree
 

Omaha Stepparent Adoption Attorneys

Contact Stange Law Firm Today

With your child’s health and legal rights on the line, you cannot afford to navigate the adoption process without quality representation like Stange Law Firm. Our Omaha adoption attorneys have the expertise to ensure your adoption is handled correctly and in the best interest of your child. Contact us today for a consultation and see what makes Stange Law Firm different from the rest.

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Representing Clients in Divorce & Family Matters

We also handle many other family law matters, including but not limited to:

Dissolution of Marriage
Unfortunately, there are times when a marriage is irretrievably broken and a divorce is the only option. We can help with your uncontested, contested, simple or complex divorce case.
Legal Separation
There are some instances where married parties are separated, but are unsure whether their marriage can be reconciled or may later need to be dissolved. We can help with a legal separation if this is the case.
Annulment
In certain circumstances, a party may be able to seek an annulment if there are circumstances that led to a party being fraudulently induced into entering a marriage.
Family Law
Unfortunately, there are times when a marriage is irretrievably broken and a divorce is the only option. We can help with your uncontested, contested, simple or complex divorce case.
Collaborative Law/Mediation
If you are looking for an amicable resolution to your divorce or family law matter, we have attorneys who can help you with a collaborative family law case or mediation.
Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements
These agreements help couples make critical decisions about their relationships, just in case. While prenuptial agreements are drafted before a marriage, postnuptial agreements are drafted during the marriage, usually when circumstances change.
Paternity Law/Mediation
With approximately forty-percent of all children being born out of wedlock, we represent numerous unmarried parents in child custody and child support disputes. These cases are the twenty-first century divorce and extremely common.
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We also represent clients in matters of guardianships and conservatorships, helping them protect the people they love — especially when those people can no longer care for themselves. Our work in this area often involves people facing physical and mental illnesses, alcoholism and addiction.
Surrogacy Agreements
We can help clients negotiate surrogacy agreements, drafting and executing all related documents as well as resolving any conflicts that may arise.
Step-parent adoption
We represent parents in step-parent adoptions, which usually occur when a parent marries or remarries after the birth of a biological child. Step-parent adoptions help bring families closer together by creating a solid family unit.
Name Change
If you are seeking to legally change your name, we can help.
Orders of Protection
We can help you in legal proceedings involving restraining orders.
Adoption
We are honored to represent clients who wish to adopt a child into their family.
Minor emancipation
In some cases, minors do best when they are given the rights and responsibilities of adults. We assist in minor emancipation, representing both teens and their parents.
Grandparents' rights
Lawyers at our firm also handle grandparents' rights issues such as child custody, guardianship and grandparent adoption.
Appeals
We represent parties in appeals of adverse family court judgments, including divorce, child custody, child support, maintenance and grandparent visitation.
Child Support
We represent clients in matters involving child support.
Child Custody
We represent parents in child custody disputes.
Juvenile Matters
We represent parties in juvenile matters involving the Division of Family Law Services.
Modifications
We assist clients in modifying prior child custody and child support judgments when the facts call for it.
Contempt
We help clients in contempt of court matters as well as family access motions.
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We are proud to represent service members in divorce and family law matters.
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