Step-Parent Adoption in Iowa

[catsby2]

My husband of 6 years would like to adopt my daughters, ages 7 and 9.
The problem is my ex-husband will not sign away his rights.
He hasn't seen his kids for 9 months and hasn't paid child support for a year. He is always in and out of jail and doesn't even have a permanent place to live.
Can I take him to court by myself or do I have to have a long drawn out event with a lawyer?
Also is not seeing the kids and not paying child support grounds for terminating parental rights?
My daughters want their step-dad to adopt them and already use his last name whenever they can.

 

[MySonsMom]

My husband of 6 years would like to adopt my daughters, ages 7 and 9.
The problem is my ex-husband will not sign away his rights.
He hasn't seen his kids for 9 months and hasn't paid child support for a year. He is always in and out of jail and doesn't even have a permanent place to live.
Can I take him to court by myself or do I have to have a long drawn out event with a lawyer?
Also is not seeing the kids and not paying child support grounds for terminating parental rights?
My daughters want their step-dad to adopt them and already use his last name whenever they can.

It's VITAL that you hire an attorney to help you through this. I know it's pricey, but if you are serious about this and want this...it will be WELL worth the money spent.

Good luck!