[aMarylandfamily]

An adoption petition generally can be modified to include a provision identifying the purpose of the adoption as well as any conditions relative to it. The adoption itself will require termination of parental rights from a legal standpoint but he can add a provision relative to visitation and participation in the child's life ... which from the sound of your posting is not the problem ... and if it is easier for the child and she wants it my advice would be to grant the wish ... another route to take is a Guardianship Agreement which again petitions the court and I believe would allow name change or the use of her step-father's name ... where it would be noted most would be in the future when she applies for a security card, job, security clearance, etc. when she would have to complete the section relative to known by any other names ...

An attorney will generally offer a free consultation appointment which I would high advise to make sure he/she provides you with the legal facts to this and even reviews all of the paperwork prior to signing same.