Oftentimes a stepparent wishes to adopt his or her spouse's or domestic partner's child. This can be a relatively easy (but time-consuming) process when the biological parent has been absent from and does not wish to participate in the child's life. In such cases, after the stepparent files the adoption petition with the court, a county investigator meets the child and the family.

Generally the investigator will issue a report to the court recommending that the adoption proceed. In contested cases, hearings will be necessary for the court to determine if the adoption is appropriate. The court will likely consider whether the biological parent has failed to participate in the child's life and/or financially support the child and, if so, to what extent.