[MlynnBrrtt]

Is it possible to legally sever ties with a biological parent (father) as an adult? to be adopted by another adult who will soon be a legal step-parent through marriage (to my mother). I am in Ohio. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

[DianeS]

Yes, the adoption of an adult is legal in most (possibly all) states.

It doesn't require a homestudy or tests or anything, in most cases it's pretty simple. You discuss it with the two adults (your mom and your stepfather), and if they agree to the adoption, the three of your file some papers and maybe stand before a judge. Afterwards your new birth certificate would be issued.

But keep in mind all the things you're legally severing. If you are no longer legally related to your bio father you are no longer next of kin - you have no say in his medical decisions if he's unconscious, for instance, and he has no say in yours.

You can get no family-based information about him from doctors, hospitals, mortuaries, military establishments, and he can get no family-based information about you.
Unless he mentions you in his will by name, you cannot inherit anything from him. If he leaves things to "my children" or "my relatives", that no longer includes you. You have no legal standing to contest his will no matter how he leaves his estate. And unless you mention him by name in your will, he gets nothing from you.

Same issues with his extended family - you are no longer legally related to them, either. So no family-based information about or for them, no inheritance rights from or for them.

And exactly the opposite issue with your stepfather - you WOULD be legally related to him, and he and his extended family get everything that your biological father would no longer have.

It's not a decision to be taken lightly, by you or by your stepfather. But in most cases it is indeed possible.