How can your new spouse adopt your children from a previous relationship?

A person can only adopt the biological children of a new spouse if the other biological parent is willing to relinquish his or her parental rights or if those rights have been permanently terminated by the court.

A biological parent cannot be forced to surrender his or her rights to their child or children by the other parent, but they can have them forcibly terminated by the court.

In all 50 US states the persons seeking adoption must be represented by an attorney licensed to practice in the state where the adoption will occur.