Adopting a stepchild is the most common form of adoption. A stepparent who adopts agrees to become the legal parent and be fully responsible for his or her spouse’s child. After the stepparent adoption occurs, the noncustodial parent (the parent not living with the child) no longer has any rights or responsibilities for the child, including child support.
In Texas, stepparent adoption is a legal process where a stepparent becomes the legal parent of their spouse's child. This process requires the termination of parental rights of the noncustodial biological parent, either voluntarily through consent or by court order if certain conditions are met, such as abandonment or failure to support the child. Once the adoption is finalized, the stepparent has the same legal rights and responsibilities as a biological parent, and the noncustodial parent loses all parental rights and responsibilities, including the obligation to pay child support. The process involves filing a petition for adoption in the appropriate court, completing a home study, and possibly obtaining the consent of the child if they are of a certain age. It's important to consult with an attorney to navigate the legal requirements and ensure that all steps are properly followed.
