Legal Question in Family Law in Washington

Step-parent's rights

My husband has a daughter from a previous relationship that he has full custody of. The mother has seen her daughter, who is now four, maybe three times in those four years. I have been her primary care taker for two years now and she calls me mom. I would like to adopt my daughter but am unsure of what rights I have and what the processes would be. I would like information on that and if I have any rights as of now to her. If her mother wanted to see her could I tell her no or is that not allowed. Any info you could give me would be great.


Asked on 12/14/04, 4:05 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Caroline Suissa-Edmiston Law Office of Caroline R. Suissa-Edmiston

Re: Step-parent's rights

You would have to get the mother to terminate her parental rights voluntarily, or prove to the courts that she is at risk of physically/severly emotionally abusing the child.

If the mother agrees to the adoption, then you would go through a normal step-parent adoption.

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Answered on 12/14/04, 10:49 pm
Christopher Steuart IT Forensics, Inc.

Re: Step-parent's rights

Compared to the biological-legal parent you rights are very limited. You mention that he has "full custody," I presume on this basis that there is a parenting plan that restricts the mother's rights concerning the child. The parenting plan almost certainly confers no rights on you.

The biological-legal mother would have to be found to have abandoned the child (not easy) or is dangerous to the child (not easy), and that there is little likelihood of the rehabilitation of the relationship (not easy), alternatively if the biological-legal mother would relinquish her parental rights you could move forward on adoption.

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Answered on 12/15/04, 12:32 am


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