nc step parent adoption

[mmh25]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? NC

this may be a very simple question but i can't find the answer anywhere. in nc, how long must a custodial parent live with someone in order for that person to be able to adopt the child? also, do the cp and potential step-parent have to be legally married?

 

[Proserpina]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? NC

this may be a very simple question but i can't find the answer anywhere. in nc, how long must a custodial parent live with someone in order for that person to be able to adopt the child? also, do the cp and potential step-parent have to be legally married?

As a general rule the CP should be married, for a year or so.

Otherwise it's virtually impossible for the CP's partner to adopt the child.

 

[mmh25]

thank you. ugh, you'd think you'd be able to find the answer to something that simple on the court or dhhs website.

 

[Proserpina]

thank you. ugh, you'd think you'd be able to find the answer to something that simple on the court or dhhs website.

Law ain't often simple


Did you call to ask about the requirements? Often a couple of calls can save you a whole lot of legwork.

 

[MominCarolina]

In NC you have to be married for 6 months. Although in certain circumstances if the step parent has been living with the child for 6 or more months prior to being married the courts will waive the 6 month requirement. I state this from experience.

In NC I had lived with my then fiance for 2 years prior to us getting married. Within a few weeks of being married we had an attorney draw up the papers and my child's bio father signed the parental termination papers. The adoption was finalized only after 3 1/2 months of marriage.

Since there was not a dispute in the adoption I can only image this is why they waived the 6 month requirement.