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

It may be possible, but it depends on the facts. In Maine, a stepparent adoption is filed in Probate Court, and supervised visitation by the other parent does not settle the question on its own. What matters is whether that parent agrees to the adoption or whether the history fits Maine's abandonment provisions.

Abandonment in Maine: The abandonment period is 6 months, under 18-C M.R.S. § 9-204; 22 M.R.S. § 4002(1-A). If the parent was granted supervised visits but has not used them, that history may be relevant. Whether a particular pattern of missed or occasional visits meets the statute is a question for the Probate Court clerk in your county or an attorney, because it turns on your exact dates and circumstances. Some parents attend a few visits and then stop, while others attend on and off, and each situation is different.

If the other parent is involved and contests: A parent who is still exercising supervised visits may well object. A contested case depends on the specific facts, so talk with an attorney about it. The clerk can explain the court's procedures but cannot advise you on strategy.

Other Maine requirements that apply to you:

• Residency: Maine has no minimum residency period under 18-C M.R.S. § 9-301.
• Child's consent: A child who is 12 or older must consent to the adoption (18-C M.R.S. § 9-302).
• Home study: It is waived in stepparent adoptions (18-C M.R.S. § 9-304).
• Termination: Maine's process does not treat termination of the other parent's rights as a separate court case. The question is handled within the adoption under Maine Revised Statutes Title 18-C, Article 9.
• Timeline: Stepparent adoptions in Maine typically take 3-6 months.

What to gather:

• A copy of the current custody or visitation order that sets the supervised schedule.
• Any record of which visits happened and which did not, such as supervising agency notes, messages, or your own calendar entries.
• The child's birth certificate and your marriage certificate.
• Any record of contact, calls, or support from the other parent.

Questions for the clerk: The Probate Court clerk in your county can confirm the filing fee, how notice to the other parent is handled, and any local forms or hearing practices. Ask these before you file, since the answers can differ by county.

How we help: StepParent Adoption 360 is a document preparation service, not a law firm. You answer questions online, including the details of the supervised visitation situation, and we prepare the complete court document package for your Maine county. You then file it yourself without an attorney. The cost is $349 for the first child and $99 for each additional child.