How to Adopt Your Stepchild in Illinois: 3 Things You Must Know

Illinois adoptions can be full of long processes and requirements, yet when adopting your stepchild, the process is not always that extensive. Many stepparents fall in love with their stepchildren and wish to adopt them as their own. So how do you adopt your stepchild in Illinois?

To adopt a stepchild in Illinois, the stepparent wishing to adopt must obtain stepchild adoption court forms, often available at the local courthouse, or may be purchased online from a court form service. If the biological parent is contest the adoption, then hiring a lawyer is strongly encouraged.

adopting a stepchild in Illinois

For a number of reasons, an Illinois stepparent might want to adopt their stepchild, including:

  • Legal obligations: By adopting a stepchild, a stepparent acquires the same obligations and rights under the law as a biological parent. This involves the obligation to financially support the kid as well as the right to make decisions regarding the child’s welfare, education, and health.
  • Security on an emotional level: Both the child and the stepparent may benefit from the adoption. It can strengthen their relationship and offer the youngster a sense of permanence and belonging in their family.
  • Estate planning: There are also practical advantages to adopting a stepchild, such as making estate planning decisions easier and assuring that the child would be taken care of in the event that the biological parent passes away.

How to Adopt Your Stepchild in Illinois

To adopt your stepchild in Illinois you can either hire a lawyer, visit your local courthouse and ask if they provide stepchild adoption court form packets, or purchase court forms through a service that specializes in stepchild adoption court forms.

Hire an Adoption Lawyer

In Illinois, while it is not necessary to hire a lawyer for the adoption of a stepchild, it may be in your best interest to do so. Lawyers can provide invaluable advice and assistance during the adoption process.

A lawyer can provide support and guidance throughout the adoption process.

This includes helping to understand the legal requirements, drafting and filing paperwork, representing you in court, and familiarizing you with your rights and responsibilities as an adoptive parent.

Furthermore, working with an attorney can provide peace of mind and allow you to feel more confident in navigating the legal system.

They can answer all your questions and address any issues that may come up.

In certain cases, the other biological parent or the child may oppose the adoption, so it is beneficial to have a lawyer to represent you in such cases.

In Illinois, while it is not necessary to have a lawyer to adopt a stepchild, one should consider the advantages a lawyer would bring in terms of advice and representation during the adoption procedure.

Visit here for a board-certified adoption lawyer in Illinois.

Visit Your Local Courthouse

In Illinois, stepparents who are considering adopting their stepchild should consult with their local courthouse for information and guidance on the adoption process. They can provide information about legal requirements, procedures, paperwork, and any other necessary documentation.

Illinois courthouses often provide adoption form packets, which usually contain all the required forms and instructions for beginning the adoption process.

Additionally, these packets typically include information regarding the expenses associated with adopting a stepchild as well as details about fingerprinting and background checks mandated by the state.

When filing adoption papers, be sure to check with the courthouse to ensure that you meet their requirements for stepparent adoption, as these can differ from court to court.

Find a local Illinois courthouse near you.

Purchase Stepchild Adoption Court Forms Through a Service

In Illinois, stepparents wishing to adopt their child can purchase adoption court forms via a service like Stepparentadoptionforms.com. These services provide specialized court-approved forms and instructions for the adoption process, to help those wishing to adopt their stepchild.

Various adoption forms, including those for stepparents, are available through these services. Plus, they can provide resources and assistance to the stepparents during the process.

If you’re buying court forms via a service, make sure the forms are specifically for Illinois and the service is trustworthy.

These services require a fee for their forms and assistance and many will fill them out for you. It’s important to verify that the forms offered by the service are valid with the court where you will file your adoption documents.

It’s important to note that these forms and services may provide guidance during the adoption process, but they should not replace legal advice.

Cour form providers do not and cannot provide legal advice, but they can provide instructions on filing the adoption forms at your local courthouse.

It’s best to seek the counsel of a lawyer or the court to ensure that the process is done properly.

Visit here for more information on the requirements to adopt in Illinois.

Curious about how much it would cost to adopt your stepchild? We put together an article just for you.

Adoption Process

In Illinois, stepparents who wish to adopt their stepchild must often go through a number of steps, such as filing a petition for adoption, completing a home study and background check, getting consent from the biological parent, and finalizing the adoption.

Filing of the Petition for Adoption

The first stage in the adoption process for stepparents adopting their stepchildren in Illinois is the filing of the Petition for Adoption. The petition, which is submitted to the local court, is a legal document that declares the stepparent’s desire to adopt the stepchild.

The stepparent must normally submit the following information to the court in order to file the petition:

  • The stepparent must include their full name, address, and phone number in the personal information section.
  • The full name, birthdate, and any other identifying information for the stepchild must be provided by the stepparent.
  • The stepparent will have to give the full name, address, and phone number of the biological parent.
  • If the biological parent approves the adoption, the stepparent will need to present the biological parent’s statement of consent.

You can get petition forms from the courthouse or through a service that provides state-specific court form packets.

Once the petition is submitted, the court will check to make sure the entire filing is accurate and all the information has been provided.

Additionally, a hearing date will be scheduled for the petition.

When going through the adoption process, it is important to be aware that procedures and forms may differ between counties and courts, so it is essential to check with the court in question.

Home Study and Background Check

In Illinois, a home study and background checks are critical components of the stepparent adoption process. These evaluations allow adoption professionals to verify the quality of the home environment.

Home Study

A home study is the evaluation of a stepparent’s home and family conducted by a social worker or other professional.

It looks at the living situation, their relationship with the stepchild and any other children in the home, their parenting skills, and their overall ability to provide a safe environment.

The goal of the assessment is to determine if adoption is in the best interest of the child.

Background Check

A background check is typically done to evaluate whether a stepparent has any criminal history or disqualifying factors that would make them an inappropriate parent.

This usually involves a criminal background check, an evaluation of whether there are any child abuse or neglect records linked to the individual, and a search of the sex offender registry.

For adoptions in Illinois, both home studies and background checks are required, although the process and requirements may differ depending on the court and county.

Consent of the Biological Parent

In Illinois, stepparents adopting their stepchildren must secure the consent of the biological parent as a necessary part of the adoption process. This requires the biological parent to acknowledge they are aware of the adoption taking place and consent to it.

Unless a biological parent’s rights have been terminated or the parent has passed away, their consent is usually needed in order for an adoption to be successful.

To complete the adoption process, a biological parent must usually sign a consent form, which is a legal paper confirming that they understand and accept the agreement.

This document can be obtained from the court or through a service that offers authorized forms.

In cases where the biological parent is legally unable to give consent, the court may take other considerations, such as the child’s best interest, into account and allow the adoption without the requirement of parental consent.

The procedure and paperwork needed for adoption may vary depending on the court and county where it is being processed, so it’s essential to check with the court for their requirements.

Termination of the Biological Parent’s Rights

In Illinois, stepparents who wish to adopt their stepchildren may need to go through the legal process of terminating biological parental rights if consent cannot be obtained or the biological parent is judged to be unfit.

To terminate parental rights, a petition must be filed in court with evidence showing either that the parent is unfit or that ending their rights is in the child’s best interest.

Once the petition is submitted, the court will arrange a hearing to determine if the legal parent should lose their rights.

The affected legal parent can challenge the ruling and provide evidence in support of their side.

The court will review information and witness statements presented at the hearing to determine whether or not to end the rights of the birth parent.

Should they approve the termination, then the stepparent can move forward with adopting without needing approval from the birth parent.

Termination of parental rights is a serious legal matter that must be done in adherence to Illinois laws.

The requirements for this process may differ depending on the court and county in which the adoption will be finalized.

Finalization of the Adoption

When a person in Illinois is looking to adopt their stepchild, they must go through a court hearing. During this hearing, the judge will review the adoption petition as well as any other documents before making a final decision on whether or not to approve it.

The final hearing for the adoption is typically scheduled a few months after the filing of the petition, so that there’s ample time for the home study, background check, and other steps in the adoption process to be completed.

At the end of the adoption hearing, the judge will review the paperwork, including the adoption petition and any relevant reports or recommendations from social workers or other professionals.

The judge may ask questions to both the stepparent and biological parent to establish the validity of the adoption.

If the judge finds that adoption is in the child’s best interests, they will sign off on it and issue a new birth certificate for the stepchild, consequently making them legally the stepparent’s child.

It is essential to be aware that the process and paperwork needed in an adoption vary based on the court and county where the adoption will take place.

Thus, it is critical to confirm with that particular court regarding their necessities.

Should I Adopt My Stepchild?

A part of life is that many parents find themselves remarried with stepchildren. You may be asking yourself, should I adopt my stepchild?

You should adopt your stepchild if you are prepared for a lifelong commitment. Adoption is permanent, and you cannot change your mind should you and your spouse later decide to divorce. If you are prepared to love and honor your commitment to your adopted stepchild, you should adopt your stepchild.

If you are considering adopting your stepchild or stepchildren, there are some things you will want to think about before taking the plunge.

It is safe to assume that you love your stepchild, so let’s go over some things to make sure you have covered all your bases.

It is important to remember that adopting your stepchild is a lifelong commitment. You may have a very good marriage now, but even good marriages can turn rocky.

At the beginning of a new marriage, you are in love and over the moon with happiness. Having romantic ideas of how the family dynamics will be is normal and sets a positive path forward.

Just know that you cannot simply change your mind about the adoption down the road if your marriage does not work out.

If you are unwilling to continue the parent/child relationship if your marriage goes south, then you should not adopt your stepchild.

Should the marriage end in divorce, you will still need to have cordial communications with the child’s other parent to co-parent your child.

Other things to consider would be if your marriage ended in divorce, you would be financially responsible for half of the expense of raising the child.

After a divorce, you would still be tied to your spouse for life, as you would both have a child together. Until the child turns 18 years of age, there will still be periods when the child resides with you.

No one wants to think about the possibility of divorce when things feel so right. Statistically, however, about half of all marriages end in divorce.

If you are not willing to make a lifelong commitment to a child, then you should not adopt the child.

Providing you do decide to proceed with the adoption of your stepchild, keep in mind that there are things you will want and need to do afterward to tie up any loose ends.

Do I Need a Lawyer to Adopt My Stepchild?

It’s a common question, do you need a lawyer to adopt your stepchild?

You do not need a lawyer to adopt your stepchild. Visit your local courthouse to acquire the required court forms and a list of requirements. Although you are not required to have an attorney to adopt your stepchild, hiring an attorney for any life-changing event is highly recommended.

You most certainly do not need an attorney to adopt your stepchild, as the process is a bit less complicated than other types of adoption.

For an adoption attorney near you, visit Lawyers.FindLaw.com.

Do-It-Yourself Stepparent Adoption in Illinois

Attorneys are nice to have and can do the leg work for you, but you most certainly do not need an attorney to adopt your stepchild.

If you are feeling a bit lost and want more information on starting your adoption journey, you may want to visit Illinois Adoption Requirements: Complete Guide.

Just keep in mind that many of the requirements will not apply to you if you are already residing with your stepchild.

Providing there is no anticipated legal battle from one of the biological parents, then one would be encouraged to obtain the court forms from your local courthouse, usually available to download online.

You may also wish to contact your local Department of Human Resources to speak to someone about how to process your adoption petition or reach out to your local courthouse.

Most courthouses have what is called a facilitator who helps guide you in the steps you need to take to complete legal processes without a lawyer.

Stepparent Adoption Contested by Biological Parent

Adopting a stepchild involves obtaining the permission of both biological parents. You will need the blessing of your spouse as well as the other parent.

How will the biological parent feel about the idea of a stepparent wanting to adopt their child? This depends on the relationship between the biological parent and the child.

There are times when the other parent will voluntarily terminate their rights to their child. Perhaps there is very little relationship between the parent and child.

If the stepparent has taken on the active parenting role, and if the biological parent recognizes their lack of involvement, they may agree to know the adoption decision is in the best interest of their child.

When the biological parent’s rights are terminated, it also frees them from court-ordered financial obligations.

Sadly, this can be a huge motivating factor for some biological parents to voluntarily terminate their rights to their children.

What do you do, though, if the biological parent refuses to give permission and contests the adoption? States will almost always only allow two parents to have parental rights to a child.

However, there have been a few cases where the courts have allowed three parents.

States are required to take the parental rights of the biological parent very seriously and will only terminate their parental rights if the parent is proven to be unfit, is not the true biological parent, or has in essence abandoned the child.

A parent can be found to be unfit for several reasons. Examples of an unfit parent can be things like being abusive or neglectful. Are they incarcerated or have they been incarcerated?

Is the biological parent’s home environment safe for this child? What type of people do they hang out with and have visited their homes? Many things can deem a parent unfit.

For a parent to be accused of parental abandonment, the parent must not have spent any time with the child or paid child support in a very long time, usually a year.

If there is a question of paternity and it can be proven through the court system that the “biological” parent is not the parent, after all, that opens the door for adoption possibilities.

However, the rights tend to be placed with the biological parent, so that can be a tricky scenario.

Telling a Child Their Stepparent is Adopting Them

Depending on the age of this child being adopted, you will most certainly be excited to tell them the good news! In some states, a child over a certain age will need to permit to be adopted.

Not telling the child they are being adopted by the stepparent can create mistrust and hurt down the road, so think twice if you were planning on not telling them until later.

I strongly encourage you to not keep the adoption hidden from the child or children. Allow them the opportunity to be excited about being adopted! Involve them in the process and celebrate!

And hats off to you if you are a stepparent considering adopting your stepchild. It takes a huge heart and unconditional love to adopt a child that is not biologically yours.

And when you are helping raise a child, you are already a huge part of their life whether you make it official or not.

What are the Home Study Requirements for Stepparent Adoptions in Illinois?

Prior to permitting an adoption to take place, a home study or home study is a screening of the home and lives of potential adoptive parents.

A home study is needed by legislation in some countries, as well as in all international adoptions. Even though it isn’t legally needed, an adoption agency may insist on it.

In stepparent adoptions, there is no home study requirement

Does the Stepchild Have to Consent to an Adoption in Illinois?

A child who is fourteen (14) years and older must provide signed consent to their own adoption in Illinois. Younger children are not required to give their consent.

You are encouraged to proceed with a stepparent adoption during a time when your stepchild will react favorably to knowing you are adopting them.

Important to remember when planning to adopt your stepchild is that it is likely your stepchild has been through quite a lot.

Absent biological parents not voluntarily involved in their child’s life can be a painful emotion to live with for your stepchild.

Another thing to consider is the timing of the stepparent adoption. Was there a divorce previous to your marriage with your stepchild’s parent that your stepchild is still reeling from?

Children often suffer emotionally from the loss of a biological parent. Even a marriage viewed as a positive step forward takes time for a child to adjust to.

Consider letting the dust settle between major life events.

Can a Child Be Adopted Without the Father’s Consent in Illinois?

To read about the father’s adoption consent laws in Illinois, visit Justia Law.

The amount of information provided for the state of Illinois was a bit more than we could fit within a small section of an article.

Trina Greenfield, Author
SmackDown Media LLC
LinkedIn

About the Author:
Trina Greenfield, the owner of SmackDown Media LLC, is passionate about providing information to those considering growing their family. Trina is a seasoned writer, content creator, and website owner with a passion for unbiased research, educational platforms for children and adults, as well as all things family-related.