[Violette]

"That's easy"

No it isn't that easy. What if there is abuse involved? There is absolutely nothing easy about child custody when a divorce is under way.

"A break up would not affect the rights and responsibilities of the single adoptive parent"

Marriages don't dissolve simply by separation. People die, too and that opens up a whole new can of worms when it comes to inheritence and property. Marriages have laws that cover that to protect the interest of the spouse and children.

[MEGoody]

"What if there is abuse involved?"

The abusive parent (either biological or adoptive) loses custody. The other member of the 'couple' can then apply to foster the child until the matter is resolved (unless of course, he/she was involved in the abuse as well). If it is the non-parent who is abusive, he/she is kicked out of the home.

"People die, too and that opens up a whole new can of worms when it comes to inheritence and property."

Even married people need wills and/or trusts. Nothing is stopping a homo from putting together a will leaving everything to his/her 'significant other.'

See, it is easy.