Second-parent adoption

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The second-parent adoption or co-parent adoption is a process by which a partner, who is not biologically related to the child, can adopt their partner's biological or adoptive child without terminating the first legal parent's rights. This process is of interest to many couples, as legal parenthood allows the parent's partner to do things such as: make medical decisions, claim dependency, or gain custody in the event of the death of the biological parent. Second-parent adoption is relevant in the context of LGBTQ+ adoption. In the United States, second-parent adoption was started by the National Center for Lesbian Rights (formerly the Lesbian Rights Project) in the mid-1980s. The NCLR offers a legal guide that covers the basics of second-parent adoption. According to the NCLR, second parent adoption is the most common means by which LGBTQ+ non-biological parents establish a legal relationship with their child. Family law varies from state to state in America. Courts in many states have granted second-parent adoptions to same-sex couples, though there is no statewide law or court decision that guarantees this. In fact, courts within the same state but in different jurisdictions often contradict each other in practice. According to the NCLR, it is legally advisable for LGBTQ+ parents to get an adoption or parentage judgment to ensure that their parental rights are fully protected in every state. The American Medical Association (AMA) supported second parent adoption by same-sex partners, stating that lack of formal recognition can cause health-care disparities for children of same-sex parents. The American Academy of Pediatrics also supports second parent adoption. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry says they oppose all discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity regarding custodial, foster, or adoptive rights. The American Bar Association supports second parent adoptions by unmarried persons, saying it is...