Stepparent Rights in Georgia: "I want to have custody of my stepchildren" - A look at Georgia laws and stepparents

As a stepparent, the question of custody of your stepchildren can be a complex and sensitive one. While you and your bonus children are definitely family, actual legal custody is another issue.

Fortunately, Georgia law provides two options available to you in the family law statutes: adoption of your stepchildren or seeking adjudication as an equitable caregiver of your stepchildren.

Both routes have their own set of advantages and disadvantages, so it is essential to weigh your options carefully and consult with a legal professional to determine what is the best for your specific circumstance.

Adoption provides full legal rights and responsibilities, but it can be a lengthy and expensive process.

On the other hand, seeking adjudication as an equitable caregiver can provide custodial rights without the need for adoption, but it requires showing that you have provided a significant amount of care and support for the child.

Whatever option you choose, it is crucial to prioritize the best interests of the child and maintain open communication with all parties involved.

Stepparents & Georgia Family Laws

Let's take a look into what we mean legally when we use the word "stepparent" and how stepparents are referenced in Georgia's legal code.

What is a 'stepparent' legally?

A stepparent is an individual who is married to the biological parent of a child but is not the child's biological parent.

In legal terms, a stepparent does not automatically have the same rights and responsibilities as a biological parent. These rights often include making decisions related to the child's health, education, and general welfare.

Therefore, even though a stepparent may play a significant role in a child's life, without legal steps, they do not have the same legal protections or obligations as a biological parent.

Option One: Stepparent Adoption

Stepparent adoption is one method by which a stepparent can obtain legal rights to a child.

In Georgia, stepparent adoption can be a relatively straightforward process if all parties are in agreement. The process involves the stepparent formally petitioning the court to adopt the child, with the consent of the biological parents (unless their rights have been legally terminated for reasons such as abandonment or unfitness).

Once the adoption is finalized, the stepparent has the same legal rights and responsibilities as a biological parent. This means they can make important decisions on behalf of the child and are financially responsible for the child.

Option Two: Stepparents and Equitable Caregiver Status

Recently, Georgia passed the Equitable Caregiver Act to provide legal recognition to individuals who have taken on a caregiving role for a child, even if they're not biologically related or legally adopted.

Under this Act, the court can grant an individual "equitable caregiver" status if they can prove they have undertaken a permanent, unequivocal, committed, and responsible parental role in the child's life.

The Act aims to protect the best interests of the child by recognizing and preserving established caregiving relationships. Therefore a stepparent's right to be a parent to their step child can be established under this law.

However, it's important to note that gaining equitable caregiver status is not the same as adoption. While it grants certain parental rights, it doesn't completely terminate the rights of the biological parents.

How Stepparents Can Get Parental Rights: Stepparent Adoption

In Georgia, a step-parent may adopt their spouse's child, provided certain conditions are met. Now that we've had an intro to terms, we'll look more into what goes into a stepparent adoption.

Here's how step-parent adoption rights in Georgia work.

Effects of Stepparent Adoption

Stepparent adoption in Georgia can bring a new level of stability and security to a family. It can establish legal parental rights and responsibilities that may have been absent before by nature of the stepparent not being the biological parent of their stepchildren.

However, there are pros and cons to this type of adoption that should be carefully considered.

How It Works

In order to successfully complete a stepparent adoption, certain factors such as the parental consent of their biological parent - your spouse - must be proven.

Additionally, you need the consent to surrender parental rights by the other biological parent. If you are not able to get their consent surrender, then you will need to petition the court to terminate the parent's rights, so you can move forward to adopt the child.

You also need to show the court that it is in the best interest of your stepchild for them to be adopted by you and declared your legal child.

It is important to carefully navigate the legal requirements and procedures of the adoption process, as it is very technical process and a single mistake can get your whole case thrown out.

How Long Will It Take

While the timeframe for completion may vary, it can generally take several months to a year. If you have consent of all parties, it will generally take shorter than if you have to seek to terminate the other biological parent's rights.

Get Legal Help

Because the process of stepparent adoption in Georgia is so technical, it's important to get a consultation with a local and experienced family law attorney in your county.

The attorney will be able to go over the exact laws and procedures you need to follow, and can bring your case for you, to make sure everything goes smoothly when it is presented to the judge.

Stepparent as Equitable Caregiver

The Equitable Caregiver Act in Georgia is a valuable legal tool that helps stepparents establish a legal relationship with their stepchildren.

Without this act, stepparents may not have the same rights as natural parents and could face difficulties when it comes to making important decisions for their stepchildren.

How This Law Works

The Equitable Caregiver Act grants legal standing to stepparents who have acted as their child's caregiver and have formed a strong bond with them.

This means that stepparents can now seek custody, visitation or other parenting rights in court.

Effects of Equitable Caregiver Status

Additionally, it is not as permanent as an adoption, in that the other child's biological parent maintains their rights, too - the stepparent is added on as a "third parent" with rights and legal authority as a parent over their stepchildren.

By establishing themselves as Equitable Caregivers, stepparents can gain peace of mind and the ability to provide full care and support for their stepchildren.

Equitable Caregiver versus Adoption

In Georgia, Equitable Caregiver is a better option over adoption when your spouse's ex and parent of your stepchild still comes around and pops in and out of their child's life, but is not maintaining a "parent" role, as you and your spouse are.

This helps by keeping that parental relationship open with the child's other parent - which would otherwise be terminated in an adoption - to help their emotional wellbeing, while also giving you legal custodial rights to your stepchild, if granted the status of Equitable Caregiver.

Additionally, even if you're not granted custody under this law, you can still gain visitation rights - which can help protect you and your relationship with your step child, even if your relationship with your spouse does not last.

We'll look at this specific scenario more in the next section.

Equitable Caregiver When Divorcing Your Stepchildren's Parent

If you've been a parent to your stepchildren since day one, but now, after a long marriage to their parent, you are in a divorce proceeding in Georgia, you still have hope to continue to have custody and visitation with your stepchildren after the divorce is finalized.

If you can show you've basically been a "third parent" to your stepchildren, you can ask the court to grant you Equitable Caregiver status - even as you are divorcing your spouse, their parent.

By showing the court your stepchildren have been raised as your own children, you can then ask for custody and visitation, to keep the relationship with your former stepchildren alive and intact after a divorce.

Since this is two cases in one, it's important to get in contact with a local family law attorney who has experience in not just divorce cases, but also Equitable Caregiver cases as well.

How We Can Help

At Your Law Firm, we understand the significance of the relationship between a stepparent and their stepchildren. We recognize that the bond formed with a child that is not biologically your own deserves legal protection.

This is why our team is here to guide you through stepparent adoption or stepparent custody by Equitable Caregiver in Georgia - whichever best suits your specific family needs.

Our legal team is equipped with knowledge and experience in family law - including adoptions and Equitable Caregiver cases - to ensure that your journey in securing your relationship with your stepchildren is a smooth one.

We understand the complexity of these types of cases and we will work to provide you with the best possible outcomes.

Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist you in protecting the relationship you have built with your stepchildren.