Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

At StepParentAdoption360.com, we take your privacy seriously. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our website and services.

StepParentAdoption360 provides legal document preparation services for stepparent and adult adoptions. By using our services, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Personal Information You Provide

When you register for an account or use our services, we collect the following personal information:

• Account Information: Name, email address, phone number, password
• Adoption Case Information: Names of parties involved in the adoption, relationship details, addresses, dates of birth, and other information necessary to prepare adoption documents
• Payment Information: Credit card details, billing address (processed securely through our payment processor)
• Communication Preferences: Email and SMS notification preferences, opt-in consent for text messages

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you access our website and services, we automatically collect:

• Device Information: IP address, browser type, operating system, device identifiers
• Usage Information: Pages viewed, time spent on pages, links clicked, referring website
• Location Data: General geographic location based on IP address
• Cookies and Similar Technologies: Session cookies, authentication tokens, preference settings

2.3 Information from Third Parties

We may receive information from third-party services we use to provide our services:

• Payment Processors: Payment confirmation, transaction details
• Communication Services: Email delivery status, SMS delivery confirmation
• Analytics Providers: Aggregated usage statistics

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

3.1 Service Delivery

• Prepare customized adoption documents based on your state and case details
• Process payments for services
• Create and manage your user account
• Deliver completed documents to you
• Provide customer support

3.2 Communications

• Send transactional emails about your account and case status
• Send SMS text messages (only if you have explicitly opted in) for:
  • Payment confirmations
  • Document availability notifications
  • Court date reminders
  • Case status updates
• Respond to your inquiries and support requests
• Send service announcements and updates (you cannot opt out of these critical service communications)

3.3 Service Improvement

• Analyze usage patterns to improve our website and services
• Conduct research and analytics to enhance user experience
• Develop new features and services
• Monitor and prevent fraud and abuse

3.4 Legal and Compliance

• Comply with legal obligations and court orders
• Enforce our Terms of Service
• Protect our rights, privacy, safety, or property
• Maintain records for compliance and regulatory purposes

4. SMS Text Message Communications

4.1 What You're Agreeing To

By opting in to SMS notifications, you agree to receive text messages (SMS) from StepParentAdoption360.com about your adoption case. Messages include:

• Payment confirmations
• Document availability notifications
• Court date reminders (1 day before scheduled dates)
• Case status updates

4.2 Message Frequency and Rates

• Frequency: Message frequency varies based on your case activity. Typical users receive 1-3 messages per month during active case processing
• Rates: Message and data rates may apply based on your mobile carrier plan
• Service: Messages are sent via Twilio toll-free number

4.3 How to Opt-Out

You can opt-out of SMS notifications at any time by:

• Replying STOP to any SMS message (immediate unsubscribe)
• Toggling off SMS notifications in your Account Settings
• Contacting our support team

4.4 SMS Help and Support

• Reply HELP to any SMS for assistance information
• Email: support@stepparentadoption360.com

For complete details about our SMS program, visit:SMS Opt-In Documentation

5. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties. We may share your information only in the following limited circumstances:

5.1 Service Providers

We share information with third-party service providers who perform services on our behalf:

• Payment Processing: Payment processors to handle credit card transactions (we do not store complete credit card numbers)
• Communication Services: Twilio for SMS delivery, email service providers for email delivery
• Cloud Storage: Secure cloud storage providers for document storage
• Analytics: Website analytics providers (data is anonymized and aggregated)

All service providers are contractually obligated to protect your information and use it only for the specific services they provide to us.

5.2 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required by law or in response to:

• Court orders, subpoenas, or other legal processes
• Requests from government agencies or law enforcement
• Protection of our legal rights or prevention of fraud
• Emergency situations involving danger of death or serious physical injury

5.3 Business Transfers

If StepParentAdoption360 is involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you via email and/or prominent notice on our website of any change in ownership or use of your personal information.

5.4 With Your Consent

We may share your information with third parties when you have given us explicit consent to do so.

6. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information:

6.1 Technical Safeguards

• Encryption: All data transmitted between your browser and our servers is encrypted using SSL/TLS
• Password Protection: User passwords are hashed and salted using industry-standard algorithms
• Access Controls: Strict access controls limit who can view your personal information
• Secure Storage: Data is stored on secure servers with encryption at rest
• Regular Security Audits: We conduct regular security assessments and updates

6.2 Organizational Safeguards

• Employee training on data privacy and security
• Confidentiality agreements with all employees and contractors
• Limited access to personal information on a need-to-know basis
• Incident response procedures for security breaches

6.3 Data Breach Notification

In the event of a data breach that affects your personal information, we will notify you via email within 72 hours of discovering the breach, as required by applicable law.

7. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to provide our services and comply with legal obligations:

• Account Information: Retained while your account is active and for 7 years after account closure for legal and tax purposes
• Case Documents: Retained for 7 years after case completion for record-keeping and potential legal requirements
• Payment Records: Retained for 7 years for tax and accounting purposes
• Communication Records: Email and SMS logs retained for 2 years for compliance purposes
• Consent Records: SMS opt-in consent and dates retained indefinitely for regulatory compliance

You may request deletion of your personal information by contacting us. We will delete your information unless we are required to retain it for legal, regulatory, or legitimate business purposes.

8. Your Rights and Choices

8.1 Access and Portability

You have the right to:

• Access your personal information stored in your account
• Download your case documents at any time
• Request a copy of your personal information in a portable format

8.2 Correction and Update

You can update most of your personal information directly in your Account Settings. For information you cannot update yourself, contact our support team.

8.3 Deletion

You have the right to request deletion of your personal information, subject to our legal retention obligations. To request deletion, contact us at support@stepparentadoption360.com.

8.4 Communication Preferences

• Email: You can manage email preferences in Account Settings (you cannot opt out of critical service emails like password resets or payment confirmations)
• SMS: You can opt in or opt out of SMS notifications at any time in Account Settings or by replying STOP to any message

8.5 California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):

• Right to know what personal information we collect and how it's used
• Right to request deletion of personal information
• Right to opt-out of sale of personal information (we do not sell personal information)
• Right to non-discrimination for exercising your privacy rights

8.6 European Privacy Rights (GDPR)

If you are in the European Economic Area, you have rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):

• Right to access your personal data
• Right to rectification of inaccurate data
• Right to erasure ("right to be forgotten")
• Right to restrict processing
• Right to data portability
• Right to object to processing
• Right to withdraw consent at any time

To exercise these rights, contact us at support@stepparentadoption360.com.

9. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

9.1 What Are Cookies

Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit our website. We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience and analyze website usage.

9.2 Types of Cookies We Use

• Essential Cookies: Required for website functionality (login, session management, security)
• Performance Cookies: Help us understand how visitors use our website (anonymous analytics)
• Functional Cookies: Remember your preferences and settings

9.3 Managing Cookies

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Note that disabling certain cookies may limit website functionality. Most browsers allow you to:

• View what cookies are stored and delete them individually
• Block all cookies
• Allow cookies only from trusted sites
• Delete all cookies when you close your browser

9.4 Do Not Track

Some browsers have a "Do Not Track" feature. Our website does not currently respond to Do Not Track signals.

10. Third-Party Links and Services

Our website may contain links to third-party websites or services (such as payment processors). This Privacy Policy applies only to StepParentAdoption360. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of third-party websites.

We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party websites or services you visit or use.

11. Children's Privacy

Our services are not directed to children under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately, and we will delete such information.

12. International Users

StepParentAdoption360 is based in the United States and our services are intended for users in the United States. If you access our services from outside the United States, please be aware that your information will be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States where our servers are located and our central database is operated.

By using our services, you consent to the transfer of your information to the United States. The data protection laws in the United States may differ from those in your country of residence.

13. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. When we make changes, we will:

• Update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
• Notify you via email if the changes are material
• Post a notice on our website for 30 days after the change

Your continued use of our services after we post changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.

14. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us:

We will respond to all requests within 30 days.

15. Related Documents

For more information about specific aspects of our services:

• SMS Opt-In Process and Documentation - Detailed information about our SMS notification program
• Terms of Service - Legal terms governing use of our services