Same-sex couples can marry and buy real property together. They can also start or grow their families together. Some same-sex couples pursue adoption or medically-assisted reproduction during the marriage. Others enjoy an instant upgrade to parent status when they marry a partner who has already adopted a child or had a child in a previous relationship.
Stepparents get to live with their stepchildren and enjoy many of the same challenges and happy moments as other parents. However, they do not have the same legal rights and protections.
The stepparent in a same-sex marriage may want to adopt their stepchild for several key reasons.
Stepparents have no legal rights
A stepparent often finds themselves in a difficult position if they get divorced. They may not have the privilege of requesting shared custody or even visitation in family court.
They could also end up alienated from their stepchildren if their spouse dies unexpectedly. Stepparent adoption helps ensure that the stepparent can share custody after a divorce or continue providing for their stepchildren if their spouse dies.
Adoption strengthens the family
Stepparents may feel like they are on the outside looking in when dealing with their stepchildren’s needs. The stepchild may also feel as though their stepparent must support them due to the marriage, but may worry that they resent them secretly.
A stepparent adoption helps prove that a stepparent feels committed to their stepchild, not just their spouse. The decision to formalize the parent-child relationship can improve the dynamic between stepparent and stepchild and give the stepchild an enhanced sense of security.
Discussing stepchild adoption can help same-sex couples protect themselves and their families. Stepparents who legally adopt their stepchildren have the same rights and protections as biological or legal parents.