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I'm not sure what you mean by "what to expect". In most step-parent adoptions, the biological parent signs away his rights and responsibilities to the child and never sees or has any contact with the child again. The stepparent adopts the child, becoming the legal parent in addition to the day-to-day parent. End of story.
The bio parent then has absolutely no legal, moral, or parental right or responsibility to do another thing for the child. No child support, no visitation, etc.
It is possible to agree to a more open adoption, where the biological parent may receive pictures, letters, telephone calls, or even visits. But you need to be aware that none of that legally enforcable.
I'm not sure what kind of "weird stuff" he's afraid would be put into the petition. It's usually just a legal doc stating that adult X would like to adopt minor Y, and here's minor Y's biological father's signature agreeing to it. If he's really worried, then he should get a lawyer (which is always a good idea before signing any legal document, not just relinquishment papers.)
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