step-parent adoption

[jpowderman]

I am recently married, and my son who has another father from a previous relationship has not seen his father in almost a year now. He is also not paying me the child support he is legally binded to. What I'm wondering is there a law that states if a parent goes for so long with out contact with the child can the childs step father adopt him without having to have the father consent( i dont think he will willingly sign the papers) I had thought it was like two years without contact of any sort. I am in the state of Florida. Or can you tell me the laws on that issue.
Thank you.

 

[LegalBeagle]

I am recently married, and my son who has another father from a previous relationship has not seen his father in almost a year now. He is also not paying me the child support he is legally binded to. What I'm wondering is there a law that states if a parent goes for so long with out contact with the child can the childs step father adopt him without having to have the father consent( i dont think he will willingly sign the papers) I had thought it was like two years without contact of any sort. I am in the state of Florida. Or can you tell me the laws on that issue.
Thank you.

If the bio father will not consent to an adoption then there is little chance to force it. The best thing to do is leave things as they are. Let the CS arrears build up and then one day go after him.. when he is facing jail, ask him to sign the adoption papers and the arrears will disappear..