Termination of parental rights (Tennessee)

[s123]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Tennessee


Me and my wife were wondering about me adopting my non-biological son. We live in the state of Tennessee and we have been married for over 2 years now. My son (our oldest) has been in mine and my wife's care since right before he turned 4 years old. He is now 6. The biological father does pay child support, when he decides it convenient for him and the biological father hasn't been around my son since for 3 years and his name is not on the birth certificate. We want to know how we can have him sign his parental rights over to me since he has never been a part of my child's life, whether he is paying a little bit of child support or not. We have read about getting a petition to terminate his rights and almost positive he will sign his rights over, but we wanted to get a few more opinions.

 

[TheGeekess]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Tennessee


Me and my wife were wondering about me adopting my non-biological son. We live in the state of Tennessee and we have been married for over 2 years now. My son (our oldest) has been in mine and my wife's care since right before he turned 4 years old. He is now 6. The biological father does pay child support, when he decides it convenient for him and the biological father hasn't been around my son since for 3 years and his name is not on the birth certificate. We want to know how we can have him sign his parental rights over to me since he has never been a part of my child's life, whether he is paying a little bit of child support or not. We have read about getting a petition to terminate his rights and almost positive he will sign his rights over, but we wanted to get a few more opinions.

Are there any kind of court orders? Without those, Dad is not obligated to pay child support. Dad will have to agree with a TPR to have it happen.

Adoption is not a DIY project.

 

[CSO286]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Tennessee


Me and my wife were wondering about me adopting my non-biological son.

Say it with me: Stepson

We live in the state of Tennessee and we have been married for over 2 years now.

Ok,

My son (our oldest) has been in mine and my wife's care since right before he turned 4 years old. He is now 6.

Not your son. He has two parents right now. Even if one is absent.

The biological father

Say it with me: Dad.

does pay child support, when he decides it convenient for him and the biological father hasn't been around my son since for 3 years and his name is not on the birth certificate.

Again, Not you son, and Dad is Dad.

Is there an order for child support?
Has Dad's paternity been established?
How? DNA testing? Signing an Acknowlegement of Paternity? Court Adjudication?

Are there any custody orders in place?

We want to know how we can have him sign his parental rights over to me since he has never been a part of my child's life,

Not your child.

If the child's Legal Father is willing to cooperate with a Stepparent Adoption, then go visit a Family Law Attorney who does them. Adoption is not a DIY project. (I know, I've done it.)

If he is not willing to cooperate with a Stepparent Adoption, then go visit a Family Law Attorney who does them. It will cost more and you just might find that Dad becomes a far more significant part of Junior's (and by extension, your) life.

whether he is paying a little bit of child support or not. We have read about getting a petition to terminate his rights and almost positive he will sign his rights over, but we wanted to get a few more opinions.

Right now, the child is not your child. I get it, you're married to mom and have been operating in a father capacity to Junior for a good long time. Legally speaking, this still does not make him your son.