step parents

[selina]

I have one son from someone else and my husband has one from his first marriage. My sons father was around until he had gotten married and has a new daughter. He had forgotten about mine and now I would like to have my husband adopt him but the father is saying no and I can not convice him that it would be best because he does not see him anymore. How can I get around him so we can do this? Also my
step-son mother left him with my husband when he was 2 and after seven years I would like to adopt him but we can not find his mother anywhere. I will let him see her parents, they do not know where she is at. What are the laws about these two issuse? We both love each others kids and want our family to be a whole family with no other?

 

[MySonsMom]

If the Father of your child will not consent to the adoption, then the only way to have it done is if you can prove him unfit. Does he owe any back child support? If so, you can always forfeit that and make a deal with him that he will no longer have to pay it if he agrees to the adoption. But all in all, if he does not consent; you have to prove him unfit.

Now, your step childs Mother. I take it she has no contact or no support towards the child. (and you don't know where she is) This could be easier. Retain an attorney, and you will have to "try" and find her to serve her with the papers. That means sending them certified to her last known address. If that doesn't work, post an ad in the paper of her last home town warning her of her of relinguishing of the parental rights. If you are still unsuccessful, then the adoption will probably go through smoothly.

Retain an attorney for sure.

Good luck!

 

[swthoss]

I agree with MYSONSMOM.

I am in a similar situation, unable to locate dead beat Dad. My husband wants to adopt my daughter. I was told by my atty. that we will have to post in several major news papers in the US for apx. 10 days each.(time and number of news papers differs state to state, my Mom had to do 3 news papers in the same state,she was in VA, I'm in PA) After this if no reply, the adoption will go smooth as silk.

about the other half, remind him of the fact that he will no longer have to pay support, in addition to the offer of forgiving arears if any. This could work, especially if he is corently having to pay and not exersizing his visitation rights.

Another point, is if the child is old enough, and wants the adoption, the courts will put it through. You did not say how old the child was. Check with your state to see how old a child must be before he can say where he/she wants to live. This can play a big part in the adoption.

Good luck, and I hope all works out for you.