Florida courts make decisions regarding minor children based upon what is in the best interest of that child. When a step parent wishes to adopt a step child the court will make sure this action is in the child’s best interest. Florida prefers a child to be raised by two parents. Ideally, Florida would like to see these parents live in the same household. Florida favors intact family units, especially where there is a loving, nurturing, and supportive environment for the minor child. Therefore, a step parent is permitted under Florida law to adopt a minor child who lives in his or her household.

In order for a step parent to adopt his or her step child the parental rights of the biological parent are terminated. A step parent must file a petition with the Florida court to adopt a step child. Included in this petition must be documentation why the step parent wishes to adopt the minor child.

Once a step parent has adopted a step child, this action creates a relationship between the step parent and step child, as well as all relatives of the step parent that would have existed if the child were a blood relative. The step parent will have the obligation to support and care for the step child as if this child was a biological child.