Can My Stepmother Adopt Me?

[Ariel]

I'm 16 years old and have recently talked with my stepmother about her adopting me. My stepmother has always been more of a mom to me then my bio mom has in the last sixteen years, so is there any advice that you can give that would help her adopt me? And with my age, does my bio mom have the right to stop the adoption?

[Mr. Knowitall]

Your biological parent would have to consent, or a court would have to terminate her rights to you, until you are an adult. Once you are an adult, it appears that Ontario would still allow you to be adopted but without the impediment of having to get your mother's consent.

[Ariel]

So if I was to terminate her rights to me, how would I go about doing that?

[Mr. Knowitall]

Absent serious issues such as physical abuse or long-term abandonment, you probably can't. If you wish to pursue that avenue, consult a lawyer about your options.