In 1977, the Florida Legislature passed a law forbidding adoption by members of the LGBTQ+ community. In 2008, that law was struck down as unconstitutional. Since then, the phenomenon of second-parent adoptions — when an unmarried parent adopts his or her partner’s biological or adoptive child — has gathered momentum. Whether gay or straight, second-parent adoption is now a legal option for every unmarried couple in Florida, and married LGBTQ+ couples can file stepparent adoptions.
TAMPA ADOPTION ATTORNEYS FOR LGBTQ+ FAMILIES
Second-parent adoption offers three significant and closely related benefits:
- It strengthens the original parent financially and emotionally, because now two people are responsible for the child.
- It secures new rights for the adopting parent and ensures legal recognition of the family unit.
- It’s in the best interests of the child, who now has the rights, benefits and support of two full-time parents.
PRIVATE ADOPTION ASSISTANCE FOR ALL LOVING PARENTS
Brandon Family Law Center is committed to adoption as a way of improving the lives of children and to helping all people share in the blessings of family. We strive to keep adoption affordable and available to all families.
If you are contemplating adoption in central Florida, give the Brandon, Florida, second-parent adoption attorneys at Brandon Family Law Center a call at 813-653-1744 or email us.
