Who must give consent for a stepparent adoption?
Consent of the biological parents is required unless the “parent has failed without justifiable cause to communicate with the minor or to provide for the maintenance and support of the minor as required by law or judicial decree for a period of at least one year immediately preceding the filing of the adoption petition.” This is a difficult standard to meet as Ohio courts have found merely sending birthday cards or letters is enough to require consent. The statute is generally construed in favor of the biological parent. Consent is not required if the parent’s rights have already been terminated. Ohio Revised Code § 3107.07 Q: Do I need to have a homestudy? A: Yes. Ohio requires a homestudy for all adoptions, including stepparent adoptions. Ohio Revised Code § 3107.031 Request FREE Domestic Adoption Services Information for Adoptive Parents. Q: Do I need an attorney? A: Some counties in Ohio permit stepparents to file adoption petitions pro se (without counsel); others require steppare
