Step-Parent Adoption

Experts in Adoption Law

If you are the step-parent of a child whom you wish to adopt, contact our specialist adoption lawyers who can advice you of the process. Our lawyers also represent the biological parents of a child whom they wish their partner to adopt and children who wish to be adopted by a step-parent.

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  • “Osbornes has incredible strength in depth across every area of family law, from public law children and child abduction proceedings, through to adoption and surrogacy, and private client work”

  • “Osbornes Law offers affluent clients representation in high-value, complex family matters.”

There are an increasing number of step-families in the UK and abroad. The understandable wish to make the child officially a member of their new family means that adoption is often thought of as the solution.

Adoption may be the answer for instance where the child’s other parent has died or has had no contact with the child. However, it is now recognised as important for a child to maintain as close a relationship as possible with both of their birth parents, whether they were married or not, Step parent adoption ends the legal relationship with the absent parent so that only their custodial parent and their new partner become the child’s legal parents.

The Adoption and Children Act 2002 introduce other options for step parents which give legal status to a step parent without ending the child’s legal relationship with their other parent.

How our adoption solicitors can help

We are able to advise on the range of options, assist with drawing up step parent agreements and offer representation in whatever court process is decided to be best for the individual child.

With our expertise in International Adoption, we can also provide advice and representation to a step parent who marries a foreign national abroad with a child by a previous relationship and where it is the plan for the child to become a full legal member of the new family, with British nationality.

If you are the step parent of a child whom you wish to adopt, the biological parent of a child whom you wish your partner to adopt  or perhaps you are child who wishes to be adopted by a step parent please contact either Naomi or Bridget for a confidential chat. After hearing the specifics of your case they will be able to provide you with further information and options available to you. They will also give you an indication of the process, what will be required of you and the possible time frames involved.

Contact our Adoption Lawyers Today

For a free initial conversation call 020 7485 8811

Email us Send us an email and we’ll get back to you






    • Naomi Angell has considerable strength in adoption, surrogacy and fertility issues

      Legal 500 2023

    • Naomi Angell is a renowned practitioner in the market with a wealth of experience in family cases involving immigration issues. She has a depth of knowledge in surrogacy issues and is respected for her experience handling adoption matters.

      Chambers UK 2023

    • "She is responsive and very knowledgeable – she knows everything on the family law side of adoption and is also very generous with her time."

      Chambers UK 2023

    • "Naomi is second to none in her knowledge of adoption and her work in surrogacy is also a strength."

      Chambers UK 2023

    • "She has an encyclopaedic knowledge and an in-depth understanding of this work. She's extremely empathetic and can put herself in the client's shoes. She's also very strategic and is good at pre-empting litigation."

      Chambers UK 2023

    • "Their family department is very strong, from adoption to child abduction and matrimonial finance, this is a very strong team."

      Legal 500 2023

    • "Naomi Angell is a stand out individual who is well regarded as to the go-to lawyer in her field. What Naomi doesn’t know about adoption is not worth knowing."

      Legal 500 2023

    • "She is the queen of inter-country adoption. She is experienced in the field over a long period of time. She has wonderful client skills and is committed to getting proper outcomes."

      Chambers UK 2022

    • "She is an adoption superstar. She has an encyclopaedic knowledge of immigration law, and knows what's on the horizon due to her involvement in policy."

      Chambers UK 2022

    • Naomi Angell – the doyenne of adoption and surrogacy family law, dedicated to her clients and hardworking.

      Legal 500 2022

    • The team has considerable strength in adoption, surrogacy and fertility matters through Naomi Angell.

      Legal 500 2022

    • "Highly recommended
      Bridget and Amy-Jo were very supportive during what were very stressful proceedings. They were collaborative and I felt listened to and part of a team rather than just a client. We ended up being successful at the hearing."

      Client review

    • "She's extremely knowledgeable and highly professional."

      Chambers UK 2021

    • "She is the guru when it comes to international adoption and she's an expert in her field."

      Chambers UK 2021

    • Naomi Angell has a vast wealth of knowledge and experience.

      Legal 500 2020 - Naomi Angell

    • "Naomi Angell is a highly esteemed practitioner who is highlighted as "a leader in the field" and "extremely knowledgeable" by interviewees. She is particularly recognised for her experience in complex adoption disputes."

      Chambers UK

    • Bridget Thompson is a public law specialist noted for her extensive practice in matters involving alternative families and adoption. An interviewee observes: "She's a fighter, she's clever, and she understands all aspects of a case."

      Chambers UK

    • "Naomi Angell is a leading name in international adoption."

      The Legal 500

    • "Recognised for its expertise in both domestic and international adoption, as well as assisted conception."

      Chambers UK

    • "Naomi Angell is a leading figure in domestic and inter-country adoptions, and also has expert knowledge of related fertility and surrogacy issues."

      Chambers UK

    • "Naomi Angell is phenomenal. She's done it for so long and knows so much that she's a fount of knowledge. If Naomi doesn't know something, it isn't worth knowing."

      Chambers UK

    • Naomi Angell is the doyenne of inter-country adoption and the font of all knowledge in this area.

      Chambers UK

    • Highly respected for her [Naomi Angell] focused on cross-border children work, including surrogacy matters.

      Chambers UK

    • Naomi Angell advises on international adoptions and complex surrogacy matters. She is commended for her broad, in-depth experience."

      Chambers UK

    • Naomi Angell is an expert in adoption issues.

      Legal 500

    • Naomi Angell leads the market in cross-border children law matters. Sources confirm that she is "at the cutting edge of changing law and policy" when it comes to international adoption

      Chambers UK

    • Naomi Angell is described as hugely experienced, calm and a good listener.

      Chambers UK

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    Contact our Adoption Lawyers Today

    For a free initial conversation call 020 7485 8811

    Email us Send us an email and we’ll get back to you