In recent years, the number of Americans who have gotten remarried after getting divorced has increased quite dramatically. The Pew Research Center reports that 40 percent of new marriages in 2013 included at least one spouse who had previously been married before. Having children from a previous marriage is not out of the ordinary, and blended families have become common in American society. In some blended families, the non-biological parent may want to legally adopt their spouse’s children. This is called a related adoption or, more specifically, a stepparent adoption.

Understanding a Stepparent Adoption

There are many reasons why a person might want to adopt their spouse’s child. For some families, the bond between the stepparent and the children is so strong, the idea of legalizing the relationship is almost a given. In other cases, a stepparent adoption is motivated by affording the children inheritance rights and other benefits.

Regardless of your reasons, there are a few things you should understand about stepparent adoptions before you start the process:

When you marry a parent, you get more than a new spouse. You get one or more stepchildren, which provide a unique family dynamic that can be very challenging for you regardless of whether you have children of your own. The presence of a new stepparent in a household can complicate family law issues such as child custody and child support agreements.

As a new step parent, you might be unsure of your role in your spouse's child's life. Talk with your spouse about his or her expectations for your relationship with his or her child. Discuss your thoughts, your goals, and your fears about this role as well. Most disagreements and misunderstandings within a family can be easily resolved through communication.

Know Your Boundaries