Adoption is a beautiful act of love and commitment that offers you a beautiful new addition to the family. If you’re a parent to an adopted child, your priority is likely to provide them with a secure and nurturing environment.
However, life can take unexpected turns; the prospects of divorce can leave you wondering what will happen to your child. You can expect the divorce to affect your child, whether they know they’re adopted or if you’ve not gotten around to telling them.
What are your parental rights?
Suppose you and your partner have finalized the adoption process; you have the same legal rights and responsibilities as biological parents. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about losing the child you’ve grown to love as your own because you’re getting a divorce. This is a relief because you won’t feel inclined to stay in a dysfunctional marriage for the sake of your child. That said, you and your spouse still need to figure out a suitable child custody and parenting time arrangement.
Custody arrangements
Since the child is adopted, the court will particularly pay attention to the relationship you and your spouse have built with your child. The parent who managed to establish a meaningful connection with the child will likely be offered sole custody of the child. However, if both of you have figured out ways to be amazing parents to your child, the court will strive to maintain the meaningful connections you have with the child. The final custody arrangement will be designed to help ensure the child receives age-appropriate care, has their emotional needs met and grows up in stable and loving environments.
Parenting time rights
Unless there is a compelling reason to deny one parent certain rights, both you and your spouse will be awarded parenting time rights. These rights are usually tailored to each parent’s schedule and the child’s specific needs. This way, both parents can continue to establish a positive bond with the child after divorce.
The end of a marriage can be a challenging experience for any family. Thankfully, family courts treat adopted kids like biological children as long as the adoption process has been finalized. Nonetheless, you can benefit from learning as much as you can about your legal rights and options to help protect your child’s well-being throughout the divorce process.