Step-parent adoption

[dvdadnj]

Seeking thoughts and opinions on stopping/opposing step-parent adoption in New Jersey. I would like to know if anyone has experience or input about what step-parent adoption opposition involves in NJ or any other state. Can a step-parent adopt your biological children even though you object? How about after you die? Thanks.

[Fatheroffour]

Can a step-parent adopt your biological children even though you object? How about after you die?

Assuming the parent objecting is not a serial child murderer and relatively active in the child life, No and yes.

[dvdadnj]

Can a step-parent adopt your biological children even though you object? How about after you die?

Assuming the parent objecting is not a serial child murderer and relatively active in the child life, No and yes.

What is meant by "relatively active in the child life"? From what I read in New Jersey case law the courts are absurdly liberal in interpreting what is "in the best interests of the children" and gives unfounded weight to the decisions of the parent of primary residence (typically the mother) in allowing such adoptions. Does anyone know of a way of preventing a step-parent from adopting your biological children after you die? Like say some written document?

[Fatheroffour]

You forfeit your rights as a parent when you die.

So don't.

[BubbaGumpShrimp]

No and yes...as FoF said. Doing a step-parent adoption (I originally intended on doing that for NJ's kids...so I did a good bit of reading up on it) usually assumes that one of the biological parents (i.e. deadbeat dad or mom) is not in the picture (as was the case with my situation). Step-parent adoptions are not for one biological parent or another to squeeze their opposite number out of the child's life.

There are two main scenarios which will permit a step-parent adoption. 1. One of the biological parents flies the coup and is no longer involved with the child. or 2. One of the biological parents is dead and the surviving parent permits their new spouse to adopt the children. x2 on "don't die."

[Fatheroffour]

Most will enjoy the SSI benefits for the child too much to adopt the kid out. Fed checks are more dependable than cs checks.

[miamorefreckles]

Most will enjoy the SSI benefits for the child too much to adopt the kid out. Fed checks are more dependable than cs checks.

the SS checks don't stop once the child is adopted.

[Fatheroffour]

*narrows dating pool to widows w/kids*

[miamorefreckles]

*narrows dating pool to widows w/kids*

LOL!

[minuette]

*narrows dating pool to widows w/kids*

Based on my husband's life expectancy as a litigator, I should be a well-to-do, under-40 widow with children in 5...4...3...