Skip to main content
Find a Lawyer

Vermont Statutes Title 15 A. Adoption Act, § 4-101. Standing to adopt minor stepchild

Current as of January 01, 2024 | Updated by FindLaw Staff

(a) A stepparent has standing under this article to petition to adopt a minor stepchild who is the child of the stepparent's spouse if:

(1) the spouse has sole legal and physical custody of the child and the child has been in the physical custody of the spouse and the stepparent during the six months prior to the filing of a petition for adoption;

(2) the spouse has joint legal custody of the child with the child's other parent and the child has resided primarily with the spouse and the stepparent during the 12 months next preceding the filing of the petition;

(3) the spouse is deceased or mentally incompetent, but before dying or being judicially declared mentally incompetent, had legal and physical custody of the child, and the child has resided primarily with the stepparent during the 12 months prior to the filing of the petition; or

(4) an agency placed the child with the stepparent pursuant to section 2-103 of this title.

(b) For good cause shown, a court may allow a person who does not meet the requirements of subdivisions (a)(1) through (4) of this section, but has the consent of the custodial parent of a minor to file a petition for adoption under this article. A petition allowed under this subsection shall be treated as if the petitioner were a stepparent.

(c) A petition for adoption by a stepparent may be joined with a petition under Article 3, Part 5 of this title to terminate the relationship of parent and child between a minor adoptee and the adoptee's parent who is not the stepparent's spouse.

Back to chapter list
Previous part of code Next part of code
Back to chapter list

Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Vermont Statutes Title 15 A. Adoption Act, § 4-101. Standing to adopt minor stepchild - last updated January 01, 2024 | https://codes.findlaw.com/vt/title-15-a-adoption-act/vt-st-tit-15a-sect-4-101/

Read this complete Vermont Statutes Title 15 A. Adoption Act, § 4-101. Standing to adopt minor stepchild on Westlaw

FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature or via Westlaw before relying on it for your legal needs.

Was this helpful?

Search all Vermont Codes

Welcome to FindLaw's Cases & Codes

A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw's Learn About the Law.

Go to Learn About the Law

Latest Blog Posts

For Legal Professionals

Learn About the Law

Get help with your legal needs

FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.

Go to Learn About the Law

Need to find an attorney?

Search our directory by legal issue

Enter information in one or both fields (Required)

    More Options
    Copied to clipboard