An adoption by a step-parent eliminates the birth parent's rights to the adopted child.  By adoption, the step-parent becomes the legal "parent" and guardian of the child, and the adopted child has the same rights and obligations of a "natural" child. 

 

 

The State of Arizona has guidelines concerning who may adopt a child.  Naturally, a husband and wife may jointly adopt a child.  An unmarried adult and the child's natural parent may also adopt.  In addition, a step-parent may adopt his or her spouse's child. 

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There are certain advantages to step-parent adoption:

~ Adoption may help nurture the step-parent/child relationship by making the child feel more "wanted".

~ Adoption divests the birth parent of his or her rights to the child, making the step-parent the legal parent and guardian of the child.

~ The adopted child would have the right to the step-parent's inheritance as if he or she were the child's birth parent.