If you are living with unofficial stepkids, you know how difficult the arrangement can be. After all, even though you act as a mother or father figure, the law does not recognize your relationship. This can make it challenging to work with school officials, doctors, government officials and others.
According to Psychology Today, most blended families face a series of seemingly insurmountable challenges. Many of these challenges go away on their own after the stepparent adopts the stepchildren, fortunately. Still, if your stepkids are still adjusting to a new way of life, you may wonder if they must consent to the adoption.
The ages of your stepkids
If you want to adopt your stepchild, there are a few hoops you must jump through. Therefore, it is advisable to fully understand all your legal rights and responsibilities before you start the process. You may not have to worry about convincing your stepkids to agree to the adoption, though.
In North Carolina, only children who are 12 years or older must consent to a stepparent’s adoption. There is a good reason for this, of course. Specifically, teens tend to have the maturity to form opinions about their care. If your stepkids are younger than 12, they likely lack this maturity.
Some buy-in from your stepkids
Even if your stepchildren are not old enough to legally consent to their adoption, you probably want to get their buy-in before proceeding. Indeed, if your stepkids do not want the adoption to take place, they may resent you for the foreseeable future. This can make your life and their lives miserable.
Ultimately, if your stepchildren are reluctant to go along with your adoption plans, you may want to go through some family counseling sessions to better understand their reservations.
