Legal Question in Family Law in South Carolina
what is the differences between having legal custody of a child and adopting that child?
Asked on 1/24/12, 5:41 am
1 Answer from Attorneys
Russell W. Hall III
The Office of Russell W. Hall III
The short answer is if you are granted legal custody by the court, it is subject to be changed by a showing of a substantial change in circumstance. Additional, the non-custodial parent or parents retain parental rights and responsiblilities. The non-custodial parent generally has visitation rights and pays child.
If the court grants an adoption, the parent or parents of the child lose their parental rights and no longer have parental responsibilities. The adoptive parents become the child's legal parents and they have all the rights and responsibilities.
Answered on 1/24/12, 6:23 am