Step-Parent Adoption
Experts in Step-Parent Adoption
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.
“Osbornes handle a significant amount of complex, high-value divorce work.”
“Naomi Angell is the fount of all knowledge on adoption and surrogacy cases. She is a lawyer to whom judges defer.”
Step-family adoption
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.
- Related reading: What is Parental Responsibility?
Related services:
Find out more about our adoption services:
How we can help with step parent adoption
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 us
To speak to a specialist adoption lawyer or the wider family law team please:
- Call us on 020 7485 8811, or
- Fill in the online form below.
Naomi Angell has considerable strength in adoption, surrogacy and fertility issues
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.
"She is responsive and very knowledgeable – she knows everything on the family law side of adoption and is also very generous with her time."
"Naomi is second to none in her knowledge of adoption and her work in surrogacy is also a strength."
"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."
"Their family department is very strong, from adoption to child abduction and matrimonial finance, this is a very strong team."
"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."
"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."
"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."
Naomi Angell – the doyenne of adoption and surrogacy family law, dedicated to her clients and hardworking.
The team has considerable strength in adoption, surrogacy and fertility matters through Naomi Angell.
"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.""She's extremely knowledgeable and highly professional."
"She is the guru when it comes to international adoption and she's an expert in her field."
Naomi Angell has a vast wealth of knowledge and experience.
"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."
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."
"Naomi Angell is a leading name in international adoption."
"Recognised for its expertise in both domestic and international adoption, as well as assisted conception."
"Naomi Angell is a leading figure in domestic and inter-country adoptions, and also has expert knowledge of related fertility and surrogacy issues."
"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."
Naomi Angell is the doyenne of inter-country adoption and the font of all knowledge in this area.
Highly respected for her [Naomi Angell] focused on cross-border children work, including surrogacy matters.
Naomi Angell advises on international adoptions and complex surrogacy matters. She is commended for her broad, in-depth experience."
Naomi Angell is an expert in adoption issues.
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
Naomi Angell is described as hugely experienced, calm and a good listener.
News and Insights from our Adoption LawyersVIEW ALL
31.8.2022What if my partner predeceases me before we...
A review of a recent case concerning consent during fertility treatment. When going through fertility treatment as a couple, it...
Read more
31.8.2022Declaration of parentage after mistake at register office
Recently in the news has been the outcome of the case of Osborne & Anor v Cambridgeshire County Council [2022] EWHC 1982 (...
Read more- 2.8.2022
New strategy to make fertility treatment more accessible
In July 2022, the Department of Health for England released its strategy aimed at improving Women’s Health. While women represent 51%...
Read more 
5.7.2022Proposed Changes to Gamete Donor Anonymity Laws in...
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has proposed changes to the law surrounding gamete donor anonymity in the UK....
Read more- 20.10.2021
Birth parent fails to overturn adoption order
Most adoption applications go through smoothly and it is only in the minority of cases that birth parents seek to...
Read more - 25.3.2019
Russian Adoptions
Adopting a baby from Russia can give a chance of a family to a child who would otherwise spend their...
Read more
Accreditations
Most Visited Family Law Pages
Our Family Lawyers View the whole team
Claire Andrews
Partner
Family LawMark Freedman
Partner
Family LawLauren Hall
Partner
Family LawMaria Kitsiou
Partner
Family LawLisa Pepper
Partner
Family LawMartin Ross
Partner
Family LawAndrew Watson
Partner
Family LawJoanne Wescott
Partner
Family LawNaomi Angell
Consultant
Family LawDiana Bastow
Associate
Family LawView the
whole team
