My stepson is six and honestly doesn't know me by any other monicker then "dad". He doesn't know that another man is out there who is his biological father.
The topic of adoption has come up from time to time between my now wife and family.
Albiet, I am all for due parental rights, but I feel it is in the best interests of the child to become a legal parent and adopt.
Of course, there is the pesky business of the bio father being around. If the man had any real love for his child, he hasn't shown it.
I live in kentucky and we have asked him to voluntarily terminate. Being the man he is, it has always been a prompt "no". Every time it's only because he feels thats one thing that he can hold over mom's head.
Scenario:
Bio mother has sucessfully had abandonment charges filed on bio dad and the court agreed (my step son is six - no contact from bio father)
Bio mother has sucessfully convinced courts to force a name change (child has mothers maiden name)
Bio father has been court ordered to pay child support and is now a year and a half behind. It would be more, but the sad fact is he was ordered to pay up after finally being caught - with illegally tinted windows and the local police ran his file. He was able to conjure up the 5K from that problem after 5 months of court stalling. He narrowly escaped flagrant non support charges.
Bio father had EPO filed from when child was first born (domestic violence). No current EPOs are active.
With that information, I was wondering what would be the best strategy to win this legal battle
1. "Force" him to volunatarily sign over. I assume by filing against him flagrant non support and going through the court mess again. He had weaseled his way out last time, even with the state breathing down his neck.
2. File a petition of involuntary termination of parental rights using some of the aforementioned reasons as my "clear and convincing evidence."
3. Or just go on and see about the petition of adoption, having option 2 follow in its wake.
As a hard working middle class citizen, married proper and happily to his mother, and fully supporting all elements of this childs life, I feel it my duty and right myself to have all the legal ramifications of being his recognized parent and guardian. I am willing to fully to committ to this endeavor no matter the cost.
Shortly, I will have a daughter and want to give my step son the same opportunties and care a real father should - as I do now - and will continue to do.
I do -not- want something to happen to my wife and have a vulture waiting in the wings because I didn't step up and give this child my all. I'm very passionate about my children and want the very best for them.
Thank you for reading. I await your advice on how to proceed.
The topic of adoption has come up from time to time between my now wife and family.
Albiet, I am all for due parental rights, but I feel it is in the best interests of the child to become a legal parent and adopt.
Of course, there is the pesky business of the bio father being around. If the man had any real love for his child, he hasn't shown it.
I live in kentucky and we have asked him to voluntarily terminate. Being the man he is, it has always been a prompt "no". Every time it's only because he feels thats one thing that he can hold over mom's head.
Scenario:
Bio mother has sucessfully had abandonment charges filed on bio dad and the court agreed (my step son is six - no contact from bio father)
Bio mother has sucessfully convinced courts to force a name change (child has mothers maiden name)
Bio father has been court ordered to pay child support and is now a year and a half behind. It would be more, but the sad fact is he was ordered to pay up after finally being caught - with illegally tinted windows and the local police ran his file. He was able to conjure up the 5K from that problem after 5 months of court stalling. He narrowly escaped flagrant non support charges.
Bio father had EPO filed from when child was first born (domestic violence). No current EPOs are active.
With that information, I was wondering what would be the best strategy to win this legal battle
1. "Force" him to volunatarily sign over. I assume by filing against him flagrant non support and going through the court mess again. He had weaseled his way out last time, even with the state breathing down his neck.
2. File a petition of involuntary termination of parental rights using some of the aforementioned reasons as my "clear and convincing evidence."
3. Or just go on and see about the petition of adoption, having option 2 follow in its wake.
As a hard working middle class citizen, married proper and happily to his mother, and fully supporting all elements of this childs life, I feel it my duty and right myself to have all the legal ramifications of being his recognized parent and guardian. I am willing to fully to committ to this endeavor no matter the cost.
Shortly, I will have a daughter and want to give my step son the same opportunties and care a real father should - as I do now - and will continue to do.
I do -not- want something to happen to my wife and have a vulture waiting in the wings because I didn't step up and give this child my all. I'm very passionate about my children and want the very best for them.
Thank you for reading. I await your advice on how to proceed.