Maryland - Step Parent/Gay rights

[cynhtia]

I live in Maryland and my exroomate adopted a child while we were living together. I was supposed to orginally adopt the child at the same time but because of the conservative ways of the court the lawyer suggested that just one adopt and then I file later. It is now 4 years later and the exroommate and I do not live together anymore and the child is almost 4 years old. The child calls and knows both of us as mommy, however, my exroomate has sole custody and I have no legal rights. I do get visitation but only when the exroommate sees fit, which has left me sometimes not seeing the child for months, which is very heartbreaking for me and I'm sure for the child. I pay a health insurances for the child and support her with daily living expenses. The child is emotionally attached to me as well.

Is there a law of someking that will provide me with visitation rights to the child that can never be taken away. Is there such a law call step parenting for same sex persons?

Please offer me some advice on this. I don't know where to turn and cannot sleep at times because of this. It is absolutely heartbreaking when I don't see the child for a period of time.

 

[lawrat]

http://google.yahoo.com/bin/query?p=gay+adoptions&hc=1&hs=15

Try this link -- it lists many sites that may be of help to you.

I also recommend http://www.attorneypages.com (family law attorney)
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I am a law school graduate. What I offer is mere information, not to be construed as forming an attorney client relationship.