Can I adopt my stepchild if the bio parent only sends texts to my spouse but never contacts the child in Rhode Island?

It may be possible, but the answer depends on the facts, and the Family Court makes the final call. Rhode Island's abandonment provision, R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-7-7, uses a six-month period. Whether a parent who texts only your spouse and never contacts the child meets that standard is something the Family Court decides on your specific situation.

What the six months means for you: The abandonment period in Rhode Island is six months. If the other parent has had no contact with your stepchild for at least that long, you have a starting point to discuss with the court. How the court weighs texts sent to your spouse instead of the child is not something we can promise. Ask the Family Court clerk in your county or an attorney about that point.

Build a clear record: Whatever the outcome, a written timeline helps the court see what actually happened. Useful details include:

• The date of the last visit, call, or message that was directed to your stepchild
• Dates and content of any texts to your spouse, and whether the child was part of those conversations
• Any gifts, cards, or support sent, and who received them
• Any times the other parent could have reached the child and did not

Other Rhode Island points that matter in your case:

• Court: Stepparent adoptions are filed in Family Court.
• Child's consent: If your stepchild is 14 or older, their consent is required under R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-7-5(a).
• Home study: Rhode Island waives the home study for stepparent adoptions under R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-7-11.
• Termination: Termination of the other parent's rights is not a separate proceeding in Rhode Island.
• Timeline: Stepparent adoptions typically take about 3-6 months.

Where to get a firm answer: If the other parent objects, shows up to contest the case, or you are unsure whether the texts change the picture, talk to an attorney about that issue. The Family Court clerk in your county can also confirm filing fees and local procedures, including how notice to the other parent is handled.

How we help: StepParent Adoption 360 is a document preparation service, not a law firm. You answer questions online, and we prepare the complete court document package for your county. You then file it yourself without an attorney. The cost is $349 for the first child and $99 for each additional child, and your court-ready documents are delivered within 24-48 hours after you finish the questions. We back the package with a 100% court acceptance guarantee. We have helped 26 Rhode Island families, and 34,000+ families nationally since 2001.