Having a child is a lifetime responsibility. There are no day-offs nor holiday breaks, and you cannot just stop being a parent when you want to. You’d have to provide financial support, emotional, physical, mental, and all the kinds of support you can possibly give.

The same goes when you legally adopt a step-child. The responsibility and support are also lifetime. It may sound like a heavy task, but if you think about the benefits it can give to your step-child, the positive side outweighs a lifetime of obligations.

Here are five of the top benefits that you and your step-child can get by legally adopting him or her:

Parental Rights

A step-parent doesn’t have the power to decide on legal or medical decisions concerning the step-child. In case of accidents or major decisions at the hospital, a step-parent cannot give the go signal no matter how urgent the matter is.

In some schools, academic records are only released to biological parents or legal guardians. Step-parents cannot access the child’s school records, and this can be cumbersome if you need to enrol or transfer the child to a different school. By legally adopting your step-child, you gain the rights inherent to biological parents.

Full Custody

In the event that your spouse or the biological parent of your step-child passes away, you have no right to take the child in because technically you do not have any legal relation to the child. Regardless if you were identified as the legal guardian of the child, the court is more inclined to hand over the child to their next of kin or closest relative.

This can be traumatic for the child, especially if he/she has not developed any bond with the relative. This can also be painful on your part. By legally adopting your step-child, you can be sure that you will have full custodial rights to the child in case of death or divorce.

Your Family Name

A stepfather can give his last name to his step-child the moment the adoption is deemed final. Having your last name means having to do away with questions and explanations why the child’s last name is not the same as yours or his or her siblings.

With the step-child carrying your surname will also provide a sense of belongingness and equality on the part of the step-child, especially before your biological children. A step-child’s surname can be changed even without the process of adoption. However, it will require the consent of the child’s biological parents, and more often than not, the other parent does not allow it.

Financial Obligations

Adopting your step-child means you would also have to take on the financial obligations expected from a parent. When you are already married with your step-child’s mother, chances are, you are living together and are already spending for your step-child in one way or the other. Since you are already spending for your step-child, you might as well make it official by adopting the child.

However, you just have to review your financial capacities as well because the moment you divorce the child’s mother, you are bound to provide child support accordingly. Adopting your step-child also makes the child an automatic heir to your properties in case you do not leave a will.

A Fresh Start

When a step-child is adopted and given a new family name, it is like giving the child a fresh start in life. This is a welcoming development for neglected children or children who were abused by their biological parents. Marrying the biological parent of your step-child is a fresh start for the parent and you wouldn’t want to leave behind the child or children.

Giving your name to the child is like giving a part of yourself to him or her. It’s like giving the child’s life a new beginning, a different take in life, a chance to be happier with you and your own children with the child’s biological parent.

Adopting a step-child is a noble act that goes with noble intentions. However, it is a lifetime commitment with the child, and if you are not ready to take the life of another being into your hands, think things over a hundred times. If you are resolute about your decision, it would be smart to call a family lawyer to help you with the process.