Step-Parent Adoptions in Nova Scotia and British Columbia

The basic purpose of this article is to examine that area of the law which deals with adoption by step-parents. In particular, the law of Nova Scotia and British Columbia will be considered. The approach taken will be to focus on the relevant statute law and selected cases which deal with the subject under scrutiny. Reference will also be made to recent developments in the law relating to adoption in England. Additionally, the latter part of this paper will deal with some alternatives to the granting of adoptions to step-parents. The particular issues and problems raised by step-parent adoptions, however, are best understood if viewed against the background of the history and practice of "conventional" adoptions.