Episode Summary: In this episode of Building Families, Bridging Differences, certified family law specialist Shelly Booth Cooley talks about second parent and step parent adoptions in Nevada. Shelly explains the vital importance of legally formalizing parent-child relationships, the families who benefit most, and the groundbreaking rewrite of Nevada’s adoption statutes she helped author. From confirming parental rights in LGBTQ families to protecting step parents raising children, Shelly breaks down the adoption process, its impact on custody, inheritance, and medical decisions, and why adoption is critical to safeguarding children and families.

Key Timestamps: 00:01 – Show introduction 01:05 – What are second parent and step parent adoptions? 04:00 – Nevada’s adoption statute rewrite: modernizing and simplifying the law 09:10 – Why legally formalizing the parent-child relationship is so important 14:05 – Families who benefit most: step parents, same-sex couples, and blended families 18:20 – The confirmatory adoption process explained 22:15 – Rights and responsibilities adoptive parents gain after finalization 25:40 – Custody, inheritance, and medical decision-making for adoptive parents 28:30 – Attorney advice for non-legal parents raising children 31:00 – Closing thoughts and where to get legal help in Nevada

About the Show: Building Families, Bridging Differences is a podcast hosted by certified family law specialist Shelly Booth Cooley. Each episode explores critical issues in family law with clarity and compassion — from custody and divorce to adoption and assisted reproduction. Shelly brings decades of experience and a passion for advocacy to help families protect what matters most.