In re AJR

Respondent appeals as of right an order that terminated his parental rights to the minor child, AJR, under the stepparent adoption statute, MCL 710.51(6). The order also allowed petitioner-stepfather, who is married to AJR’s mother, to adopt AJR. Because respondent had joint legal custody over the child, MCL 710.51(6) did not apply, and we reverse.

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Respondent and petitioner-mother were married and had one child, AJR, during their marriage. The two later divorced, and in the divorce judgment, the mother was given sole physical custody of the child, with both parents sharing joint legal…