Many adoptions involve unrelated individuals or foster placement. People hoping to grow their families through adoption may work with private agencies to secure the placement of an infant in their homes. Those who are open to adopting older children often begin providing support as foster parents and may later adopt some of those children.
Some adoption scenarios involve people who are already family members. There are several different types of family-based adoption that occur regularly. In what types of situations do people who are in the same family or household decide to adopt other family members?
1. Grandparent adoptions
There are many situations that might lead to a grandparent adoption. Often, grandparents step up when parents cannot fulfill their responsibilities. Protracted health issues, including cancer and multiple sclerosis, might lead to a grandparent adoption because a parent cannot meet the regular needs of their children.
Legal issues that result in incarceration or the state terminating a parent’s rights can also make grandparent adoption necessary. Substance abuse issues can also affect a parent’s ability to meet the needs of their children and provide them with a stable home environment. Grandparents often adopt in scenarios where parents simply cannot meet the needs of their children.
2. Same-sex parent adoptions
There are many ways for same-sex couples to expand their families. For some couples, it may be possible for one spouse to carry a child. Other times, one parent may have children from a previous relationship.
The parents may cooperate to extend their family through surrogacy. One of the parents may have legally adopted a child on their own. In scenarios involving same-sex married couples, the spouse who does not have a legal or biological connection to the children may adopt them as a way to protect their parental rights.
3. Stepparent adoptions
When an individual marries someone who has a child from a previous relationship, the stepparent often has many of the same responsibilities as other parents. They share their home with the child, provide them with guidance and meet their basic financial needs.
Unfortunately, stepparents don’t technically have any protected legal rights if their spouse dies or they divorce. Completing a stepparent adoption is one way to ensure that a stepparent can continue their involvement in a stepchild’s life regardless of what may happen in the future.
Adoptions within a family can help enhance stability and legal protection. Learning more about the unique processes for different types of adoptions can help people prepare for what can be a complicated undertaking.