What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Texas
My husband of 3 1/2 years wants to adopt my daughter. Before I was married, I was my daughter's sole provider and parent for 6 years. The biological father stepped out during our pregnancy in June of 2001 and has been absent since. He is not on the birth certificate and has never seen or supported my daughter, which because if his lifestyle I am more than okay with. I don't know where his location is now, but that information is attainable by making a few phone calls and the same has always been for him. My question is if I file parent by publication could he turn around and sue me or take any action even though he has been absent for 11 years? Is my daughter and my family protected by his choice of abandonment? I know once my daughter is adopted he will hear it through the grapevine. I don't think he will care and I surely don't care what he thinks after all this time, but the law can be twisted. Do I even have to do parent by publication which I am okay with or do I need to absurdly ask for permission from the biological to give up his rights which he has abused for so long? I am not sure how to file: Abandonment, parent by publication, or biological consent????
My husband of 3 1/2 years wants to adopt my daughter. Before I was married, I was my daughter's sole provider and parent for 6 years. The biological father stepped out during our pregnancy in June of 2001 and has been absent since. He is not on the birth certificate and has never seen or supported my daughter, which because if his lifestyle I am more than okay with. I don't know where his location is now, but that information is attainable by making a few phone calls and the same has always been for him. My question is if I file parent by publication could he turn around and sue me or take any action even though he has been absent for 11 years? Is my daughter and my family protected by his choice of abandonment? I know once my daughter is adopted he will hear it through the grapevine. I don't think he will care and I surely don't care what he thinks after all this time, but the law can be twisted. Do I even have to do parent by publication which I am okay with or do I need to absurdly ask for permission from the biological to give up his rights which he has abused for so long? I am not sure how to file: Abandonment, parent by publication, or biological consent????
