When creating a blended family, one might consider adopting your partner’s child as a sign of your love extending to your partner’s family. However, you must consider the possible ramifications of engaging in what you consider an act of love. You could be chased down for child support in the future.
In certain circumstances, it makes sense to adopt a child that is not your flesh and blood and actually quite admirable. For example, there are cases where the child’s other parent has never been in their life and you have raised them as if they are your flesh and blood. But if you have no real connection to a child, then you may not be so happy about the consequences of your emotion based decision to adopt.
When you adopt a child, they become just as legally your responsibility as if the child were your flesh and blood. That means that even if you and your partner get a divorce in the future, your partner can file a petition for child support against you and you will be responsible for supporting that child until the age of 21 in New York. The bottom line is that you should always consider whether you are willing to take on the responsibility no matter what may happen between you and your partner in the future.
The flip side of this is that if you are the natural parent of the child, you should also consider whether you want your partner in your child’s life no matter what happens in the future. The adopting parent also has a right to custody and visitation. What if you lose custody? Are you willing to take that risk?
If you are defending a child support, paternity or child custody or visitation petition, or seeking to bring one, contact Diana Mohyi Attorney at Law P.C. to obtain reliable advice on the subject.