Contact an Experienced Arizona and Nevada Dependency Attorney Today
At EverHome Adoptions, we believe that every child deserves a safe, loving, and permanent family—and we’re honored to help make that a reality.
If you’re caring for a child through foster placement or kinship care and want to explore adoption, contact our office today. We’ll walk you through every step of the DCS adoption process and ensure your path to adoption is clear, supported, and successful.
Stepparent Adoption
Attorney
Arizona Stepparent Adoption Attorney
Stepchild Adoption Lawyer Phoenix
When you’ve been raising your spouse’s child as your own, adoption is the step that transforms that relationship into full legal parenthood.
In Arizona:
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You do not have to be married for one year to adopt your stepchild, but shorter marriages require a more in-depth social study.
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You must terminate the rights of the other biological parent before the adoption can proceed, unless those rights have already been severed or relinquished.
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You may be eligible for a social study waiver in certain cases, especially if the adoption is uncontested.
Cost: $2,500 flat fee for attorney fees (not including termination of parental rights proceedings).
Timeframe: Most Arizona stepparent adoptions finalize in 60–90 days if uncontested.
Even if your name appears on the birth certificate, adoption ensures your rights cannot be challenged later—something especially critical in cases involving relocation, medical decisions, or inheritance rights.