The Truth About Leah Shirley's Adoption: Did Kristina Shirley Officially Adopt Her? 5 Key Facts

The question of whether Kristina Shirley has legally adopted her stepdaughter, Leah Shirley, has become one of the most compelling and highly-publicized storylines in the history of the Teen Mom franchise. As of December 12, 2025, the legal process surrounding this potential adoption remains a major point of discussion and drama for the Shirley family, with the emotional desires of a teenage daughter pitted against the legal rights and fierce opposition of her biological mother, Amber Portwood. The latest updates reveal the family is actively navigating the complex legal landscape, but a final decision has not yet been reached.

This deep dive explores the current, fresh status of the adoption, the legal hurdles, and the emotional motivations that have driven Leah, Gary, and Kristina to pursue this life-changing decision. The journey highlights the unique complexities of modern family dynamics and the powerful bond between a stepmother and her bonus daughter.

The Shirley-Portwood Family: A Complete Biographical Profile

The highly publicized adoption drama involves four key figures whose lives have been documented for over a decade on MTV’s reality television series, starting with 16 and Pregnant and continuing through Teen Mom OG and Teen Mom: The Next Chapter. Understanding their background is crucial to grasping the emotional weight of Leah's adoption wish.

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• Leah Leann Shirley (Daughter):
  • Date of Birth: November 12, 2008
  • Biological Parents: Amber Portwood and Gary Shirley
  • Role: The subject of the adoption; has publicly expressed her desire to be adopted by her stepmother, Kristina.
• Kristina Shirley (Stepmother/Adoptive Candidate):
  • Date of Birth: May 20, 1988 (Approx.)
  • Spouse: Gary Shirley (Married 2015)
  • Children: Emilee Shirley (with Gary), Karly (from a previous relationship), and Leah (stepdaughter).
  • Role: The individual seeking to legally adopt Leah. She is consistently praised by fans and the family for her stable, loving presence in Leah's life.
• Gary Shirley (Biological Father):
  • Date of Birth: November 17, 1986
  • Spouse: Kristina Shirley
  • Role: Leah's primary custodian and biological father. He has supported Leah's wish for Kristina to adopt her and initiated the legal inquiry into the process.
• Amber Portwood (Biological Mother):
  • Date of Birth: May 14, 1990 (Approx.)
  • Role: Leah's biological mother who has a tumultuous history of custody issues and legal troubles. She has publicly and emotionally opposed the adoption, calling the process "gossip" and "hard."

The Current Legal Status: Has the Adoption Been Finalized?

Despite the overwhelming public support for Kristina and Leah, the definitive answer to the question "Did Kristina adopt Leah?" is No, the adoption has not been legally finalized as of late 2024/early 2025. The latest reports from the family's appearances on Teen Mom: The Next Chapter confirm that the process is still in the exploratory and planning stages, highlighting the significant legal hurdles involved in a contested adoption.

In a recent episode, Gary and Kristina were shown meeting with an attorney to understand the legal requirements for a step-parent adoption in their state. The legal consultation confirmed that because Leah's biological mother, Amber Portwood, is still alive and has not had her parental rights terminated, her consent is a critical factor.

The Complexities of Step-Parent Adoption

The legal path for Kristina to adopt Leah is complicated by two primary factors:

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1. Parental Consent: In most jurisdictions, a step-parent adoption requires the consent of both biological parents. Since Amber Portwood is actively involved in Leah's life (though their relationship is strained) and has publicly voiced her opposition, this consent is currently unavailable.
2. Termination of Parental Rights (TPR): For the adoption to proceed without Amber's consent, Gary and Kristina would likely have to file a petition for the termination of Amber’s parental rights. This is a severe and difficult legal action that requires proving the biological parent is unfit, has abandoned the child, or has failed to support the child for a legally defined period. The legal team reportedly advised the Shirleys on the high burden of proof required for a TPR.

Leah, who has confirmed she is "so excited" about the prospect of being adopted, is the driving emotional force behind the push. Her desire stems from a wish for official recognition of the stable, loving family unit she has with her father, Gary, and her stepmother, Kristina.

5 Key Facts Driving Leah Shirley's Adoption Wish

The story of Leah’s desire for a step-parent adoption is rooted in years of televised family drama and the search for stability. These five facts underscore the emotional weight of the situation:

1. The Adoption is Leah’s Idea, Not Gary or Kristina’s

The idea of adoption was first brought up by Leah herself. She has openly stated that she wants Kristina to adopt her because Kristina has been a consistent, maternal figure in her life since she was a toddler. Leah has expressed that she wants the relationship to be "official," signifying the depth of their bond.

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2. Kristina Has Been Leah's Primary Maternal Figure

Kristina Shirley entered Gary's life when Leah was very young. Over the years, as Amber Portwood struggled with mental health issues, legal troubles, and incarceration, Kristina stepped into the role of a stable, everyday mother figure. She has been credited by fans and the family for providing a loving, structured home environment alongside Gary.

3. Amber Portwood is Actively Opposed to the Adoption

Leah’s biological mother, Amber Portwood, has made it clear that she is against the adoption. She has described the situation as "hard" and emotionally taxing, leading to significant strain on her relationship with Leah. Her non-consent is the single largest legal obstacle preventing the adoption from proceeding quickly and amicably.

4. The Adoption Would Make Kristina the First Stepmother in Teen Mom History to Adopt a Cast Child

If Kristina were to successfully adopt Leah, she would make history within the Teen Mom universe. She would be the first step-parent on the show to legally adopt one of the original children, a fact that highlights the extraordinary nature of her commitment and the family's unusual journey.

5. Leah is "Scared" to Discuss the Plan with Amber

The emotional fallout of the adoption plan has caused significant tension. Leah has reportedly been "scared" to tell her biological mother about her intentions, knowing the pain and drama it would cause. This emotional component is a recurring theme in the family's reality television appearances, demonstrating the difficult balance between Leah's desire for an official family identity and her mother's feelings.

The Future of the Shirley Family and Topical Authority

The ongoing saga of Leah Shirley's adoption by her stepmother, Kristina, is more than just a reality TV storyline; it is a powerful case study in the evolving definition of family. The situation introduces several key entities and concepts that are highly relevant to modern topical authority in family law and reality television:

• Stepparent Rights: The case shines a spotlight on the often-limited legal rights of stepparents, even those who have functioned as a primary caregiver for years.
• Child's Preference: While Leah's age (currently a teenager) means her preference carries significant weight with a family court judge, it is not the sole determining factor in a contested adoption.
• Co-Parenting Challenges: The inability of Amber, Gary, and Kristina to align on this fundamental issue underscores the difficulties of high-conflict co-parenting, especially when one parent struggles with consistency.

As the legal process unfolds, the Shirley family continues to prioritize Leah's emotional well-being. Gary Shirley has stressed that, regardless of the legal outcome, Kristina is Leah's mother in every meaningful way. The family has made it clear that their ultimate goal is to provide Leah with the emotional security and legal recognition she desires.

The adoption process is expected to continue to be a central focus of Teen Mom: The Next Chapter, with viewers eagerly awaiting a final, legal resolution. Until then, Kristina Shirley remains Leah's devoted and loving stepmother, a bond that is already stronger than any legal document.