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  • Home
  • Attorney Profile
  • Firm Overview
  • Family Law
    • Uncontested Divorce
    • Contested Divorce
    • Child Custody
  • Adoptions
    • Stepparent Adoptions
    • Relative Adoptions
  • Estate Planning
    • Trusts and Wills
    • Estate Plan Options
    • Guardianship
  • Probate
  • Contact
I have helped many families with a step-parent adoption. I found such to be a very wonderful thing for both the child and step-parent and is a cause for celebration on the day that it becomes final! When a child is adopted, the child legally becomes the “natural” child of the adoptive parent, the adoptive parent’s name replaces the biological parent’s on the birth certificate, and the child’s name can be changed which often provides the child a greater sense of belonging to the family unit. As the adoptive parent, you will have the same rights as a biological parent when it comes to your child’s education, medical care and other important decisions

Before a stepparent or relative can adopt a child, the rights of the child’s biological parent must first be terminated either voluntarily or involuntarily. Once that is complete, the biological parent no longer has any rights such as contact with or information regarding the child, even upon the death of the other biological parent, and no longer has any responsibility to provide financial support for the child.

Most often, step-parent adoptions are done with the consent of the biological parent, however it is possible to seek a step-parent adoption on the basis of legal “abandonment” of the child where there has been essentially no contact between the child and biological parent for a period of time in excess of 6 months.

Please call the office or send an email to me if you would like to schedule a time to discuss your case. I am also available by phone to discuss the associated costs with a step-parent adoption, which include my fees, the court filing fees and a home study be completed by a licensed social worker.

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The office of Leslie L. Lawson, Attorney at Law, is located in Kansas City, Missouri. I represent clients who live in metro Kansas City, Independence, Blue Springs, Raytown, Grandview, Belton, Raymore, Harrisonville, Pleasant Hill, Grain Valley and Oak Grove. I represent clients in other cities and towns in Jackson County, Cass County, Clay County and Johnson County.

I am also licensed to practice in Kansas, where I represent clients in Kansas City, Overland Park, Leaswood, Lenexa and Olathe.

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Office Location

Leslie L. Lawson, Attorney at Law 9001 Stateline Rd., Ste. 220
Kansas City, MO 64114
Phone: 816-524-3838
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