Can I adopt my stepchild in Louisiana if the bio parent only has supervised visitation?

Yes, you can pursue a stepparent adoption in Louisiana when the biological parent has only supervised visitation, but the outcome depends on the facts. The key questions are whether that parent consents and whether abandonment under La. Ch.C. Art. 1245 applies.

Why supervised visitation alone doesn't settle it: A supervised-visitation order tells the court about the parent's current role, but it is not the same as consent or abandonment. How a District Court weighs it in a contested case depends on your specific facts. For that question, talk to the District Court clerk in your parish or to a Louisiana family law attorney.

The abandonment ground: Louisiana's abandonment article, La. Ch.C. Art. 1245, uses a six-month period. Here is how that relates to your situation:

• If the parent was allowed supervised visits but has not used them, that history may matter. Keep records of missed or cancelled visits, cancelled supervision arrangements, and any gaps in contact or support.
• If the parent still visits regularly, abandonment is harder to show, and you should expect the parent's consent to matter. Whether it is required in your case is worth confirming with an attorney.
• If the parent objects, your case is contested. That calls for individualized legal advice.

Other Louisiana points that apply either way:

• Court: You file in District Court.
• Residency: There is no minimum residency period under La. Ch.C. Art. 1180. You must be domiciled in Louisiana, meaning it is your permanent home.
• Child's consent: Louisiana does not require the child's consent. The court asks for and considers the wishes of a child 12 or older (La. Ch.C. Art. 1253(C)).
• Home study: It is waived (La. Ch.C. Art. 1252(A)).
• Filing: Louisiana requires a Petition for Intrafamily Adoption, a sworn statement of financial responsibility, and your spouse's consent to the adoption.
• Notice to the other parent: Louisiana allows personal service by sheriff, or service by publication if the parent's location is unknown after due diligence. A parent with supervised visitation is usually easy to locate, so expect them to be served directly.
• Timeline: A stepparent adoption typically takes 3-6 months.
• Cost: Court filing fees run about $200-$400, and the typical total is under $1,000. Hiring an attorney often runs $3,000-$5,000+.

What to gather before you start:

• A copy of the current custody and visitation order.
• A record of whether, and how often, the biological parent has actually used supervised visits.
• Any messages, supervisor reports, or other documents showing the level of