Step-Parent Adoptions.
At Poppy Legal Group, we know families are built in many beautiful ways. If you're a step-parent looking to adopt your stepchild, you're already playing an important role in their life—and legal adoption can solidify that bond with lasting rights and responsibilities. Our experienced family law attorneys are here to guide you through every step of this meaningful process.
Why Consider Step-Parent Adoption?
Adoption legally recognizes the emotional connection you already share with your stepchild. It offers your family:
Legal and emotional stability
The ability to make major decisions for the child (education, health care, religion)
Access to benefits such as health insurance and inheritance rights
Legal recognition as a parent, including appearing on your stepchild’s birth certificate
What Makes Step-Parent Adoptions Different?
Unlike standard adoptions, step-parent adoptions typically do not require a home study or evaluation by the Department of Children and Families (DCF). The assumption is that your spouse—the biological parent—is already a fit parent, and the child has an established home with both of you. This makes the process more streamlined, but it’s still a legal proceeding that benefits from professional guidance.
What Is the Process in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts allows a step-parent to adopt their spouse’s child under specific conditions:
You must be legally married to the child’s parent.
The child must live with you and your spouse and be in your physical custody for at least six months before filing.
Children age 14 or older must provide their written consent.
The non-custodial biological parent must voluntarily relinquish their parental rights or have those rights terminated by the court.
We help assess whether adoption is the right step for your family, particularly in situations involving:
Abandonment or prolonged absence by the biological parent
Abuse, neglect, or unfitness
Death or incarceration of the biological parent
Learn more about who is eligible to adopt in Massachusetts by visiting the Massachusetts Court’s adoption eligibility guide.
Your Rights and Responsibilities After Adoption
Once your adoption is finalized:
You become the child’s legal parent in every sense.
Your name will be added to the child’s birth certificate.
You will be responsible for the child’s financial, medical, and emotional needs.
In the event of divorce, you may have custody rights and child support obligations.
Your stepchild will also gain the right to inherit from you—even without a will.
