What happens to my stepchild if my spouse dies and I haven't adopted?

This is one of the most important reasons to adopt — and the answer may surprise you.

Without adoption, if your spouse passes away:

• You have NO legal custody of the child
• The biological parent (even if absent for years) could claim custody
• Other relatives could petition for custody
• You might have to fight in court just to keep the child you've been raising
• There's no guarantee you'd win

With adoption:

• You ARE the child's legal parent — period
• No one can take the child from you
• You have full custody automatically
• The child inherits from you and you can make all decisions for them

Real scenario we've seen: A stepfather raised a child for 12 years. The mother passed unexpectedly. Because he never adopted, the child's biological father (who hadn't been involved in years) appeared and filed for custody. Without adoption, the stepfather had no legal standing.

Don't let this happen to your family. Adoption takes 3–6 months and costs $349 + court fees. The peace of mind is invaluable.

Start today: stepparentadoption360.com/portal/register | (855) 924-0450