Q: Would I be able to adopt my step child without having the biological parents consent?
If a biological parent has supervised visits 1 Saturday a month for 2 hours, 24 hours total in a year. They do not have any other contact with the child. Would that qualify as de minimus contact
A:
In Ohio, pursuing the adoption of a stepchild without the consent of the biological parent can be legally complex. The ability to proceed without consent usually hinges on specific circumstances such as the termination of the biological parent's rights. The term "de minimis contact" pertains to minimal interaction between a parent and child.
For stepchild adoption absent the biological parent's consent, the court typically requires grounds for termination, such as abandonment or neglect. Mere limited contact might not suffice for rights termination. The court's paramount concern is the child's best interests, along with evaluating the biological parent's fulfillment of parental duties.
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