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 Ohio, stepparent adoption is a legal process where a stepparent agrees to become the legal parent of their spouse's child, assuming full responsibility for the child. This process requires the termination of parental rights of the noncustodial biological parent, either through consent or a court order. Once the adoption is finalized, the noncustodial parent loses all legal rights and responsibilities, including child support obligations. The process involves filing a petition for adoption with the probate court in the county where the stepparent resides, obtaining consent from the noncustodial parent or pursuing termination of their parental rights, and completing a home study. The court will then hold a hearing to determine if the adoption is in the best interest of the child before granting the adoption.