Introduction By definition, an individual is recognized legally as having parental responsibility and control over a child’s life. They also have custody over the child. A legal parent is tasked with the responsibility of making decisions affecting the child on physical care, education, and control over their daily activities. A legal parent is required by law to support the child financially. In most states, an individual who isn’t a legal parent has no right to making any legal decisions on matters concerning a child. Even in cases where the individual resides with the child or plays the role of a parent (NCLR, 2016). For example, when a person is not a legal parent in some states, they cannot consent to a child’s medical care
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This results in an adoption arrangement where a child has two legal parents, both with the same legal status regarding their association with the child (NCLR, 2016). Also, same-sex or LGBT couples can utilize the stepparent adoption process used by married couples. Most of the states that identify a comprehensive domestic partnerships or even civil unions permit couples who are united in such legal unions to utilize the stepparent adoption process. The impact caused by such adoptions is similar to those that result from second parent adoption despite being much quicker and less expensive as compared to second parent adoptions with regards, which state an individual resides in (Gates, 2013). It is crucial to note that, when an LBT couple plans the birth or even an adoption of a child, they automatically become the child’s parents and not their stepparents. On the same note, parents should not adopt their children, but it is recommended by the law that LGBT parents get an adoption or even a parentage judgment to guarantee that their parental entitlements are fully sheltered in all …show more content…
It is only customary for a child’s legal parent to have equal rights to search for custody or even a visitation irrespective of whether they are the child’s biological, adoptive, or even any other legal parents (Gates, 2013). Among legal parents, there does not exist an inclination for biological parents regarding custody cases. Currently, most states, including Maine, Washington, Nebraska, and Indiana among others permit for all non-biological and non-adoptive parents to be acknowledged as a child’s legal parent (NCLR, 2016). Also, these states acknowledge that in situations whereby LGBT couples fully or partially participated in taking care of some child and went ahead to sustain a parent-like connection with the same child, then such parents should have the right to match to court and request for visitation or custody
This results in an adoption arrangement where a child has two legal parents, both with the same legal status regarding their association with the child (NCLR, 2016). Also, same-sex or LGBT couples can utilize the stepparent adoption process used by married couples. Most of the states that identify a comprehensive domestic partnerships or even civil unions permit couples who are united in such legal unions to utilize the stepparent adoption process. The impact caused by such adoptions is similar to those that result from second parent adoption despite being much quicker and less expensive as compared to second parent adoptions with regards, which state an individual resides in (Gates, 2013). It is crucial to note that, when an LBT couple plans the birth or even an adoption of a child, they automatically become the child’s parents and not their stepparents. On the same note, parents should not adopt their children, but it is recommended by the law that LGBT parents get an adoption or even a parentage judgment to guarantee that their parental entitlements are fully sheltered in all …show more content…
It is only customary for a child’s legal parent to have equal rights to search for custody or even a visitation irrespective of whether they are the child’s biological, adoptive, or even any other legal parents (Gates, 2013). Among legal parents, there does not exist an inclination for biological parents regarding custody cases. Currently, most states, including Maine, Washington, Nebraska, and Indiana among others permit for all non-biological and non-adoptive parents to be acknowledged as a child’s legal parent (NCLR, 2016). Also, these states acknowledge that in situations whereby LGBT couples fully or partially participated in taking care of some child and went ahead to sustain a parent-like connection with the same child, then such parents should have the right to match to court and request for visitation or custody