Definition: Within a step parent adoption the adoptive step parent is taking upon him or herself all rights and responsibilities of the child(ren). It will be as if the child(ren) was born to the step parent. Once the adoption is final the adoptive step parent has assumed all responsibility for his/her spouse's child(ren) thus releasing the non-custodial parent of responsibility including child support.
SOURCE: Child Welfare Information Gateway
Alternate Spellings: Stepparent Adoption
