Adopting my daughter

[katiejgurl]

I have a four year old daughter with my ex. He is in the military which he uses as an excuse not to be around (he had a chance to stay close to be near my daughter, but instead move states away because his parents offered him money). I am now engaged to a man who wants to adopt her. We are getting married in 5 1/2 weeks. I know that I have to get my ex to sign over his rights. He has previously told me he would sign them over so my daughter can experience what he calls a "real" family. He also hasn't been paying child support for almost nine months now (he is in the Navy Reserves and every time I have filed a complaint no one gets back to me) and he did see her last July for about three hours. He has sent birthday cards and a Valentine's day card, which he wrote that he won't be around. My fiance has been in my daughter's life for two years now (she does know she has a dad out there, and that my fiance isn't her real dad). My fiance really wants to adopt her because he loves her as his own. My question is, how long do I have to be married before my future husband can adopt my daughter? What is the name of your state (only U.S. law) Texas? Thank you.

 

[NOTIN2HER]

wrong method with the wrong technique

You have to be married first. if bio dad will consent and new dad is willing to adopt fine. if bio dad does not consent your sol. do you facilitate a relationship with bio dad and child? if not thats just wrong.
Dont take the wrong road leading to the wrong Tennesse's as they say-don't rush into it, again that would be wrong-for kiddo

 

[Isis1]

Most states seem to prefer the one year married rule. However, other factors apply. The age of the child, consent of parties, the consent of the parties, due process done correctly. Different factors. In the instance of adoption, it is never a good idea to make this a complete DIY project. One mistake could overturn the whole adoption and make a nasty mess. Even an attorney reveiwing the process for you throughout the whole ordeal is better than winging it all on your own.

 

[katiejgurl]

NOTIN2HER, my daughter's father left when she was 7 months old. I tried numerous times for him to come see her, and he refused. He took a trip for two weeks and then when he came back early (his mom told me), I called to see if he wanted to see her and he yelled that he was still on vacation and to leave him the f alone. Then a month or so later he actually told me I ruined his life and got pregnant on my own. Then said he wanted nothing to do with his daughter if that meant having to deal with me because he hated me. So basically he told me he wanted nothing to do with either of us. Fast forward a few years and he decided he wanted to be a part of her life and I said okay. When the time came for him to actually see her he would make up every excuse in the world not to see her. He would say he was "too tired" yet go out with friends that same night (his mom called my mom looking for him), or he would call me and say he "forgot" what day it was. So I don't keep them apart, he keeps himself away. The few times he has seen her he sat back and just looked at her, then got on his phone to text his current girlfriend or a friend he was staying with. He even went with us to the zoo and the whole time complained about how tired he was and kept hinting that he wanted to leave because we had "seen everything" (after we had only been there maybe two hours).
He moved to Montana when he could've stayed in Texas. He chose to go with his parents because they told him they would give him money and a new truck. Again, he could have stayed here, but he didn't want to have to work and pay for his own things. Because of these things, I had asked him if he would ever sign over rights if I got married and he said yes.
I never would have taken her away from him because I feel every child deserves to have both parents and know both of their parents, but since my ex decided he didn't want anything to do with us, I decided maybe it would be best to let my future husband adopt her. And yes, my fiance wants to adopt her.

 

[Tayla]

What did your attorney say when you consulted on the waiving of parental rights? I would recommend you receive proper legal representation