Stepparent Adoption With an Absent Father in Another State

[sahm4two]

My question involves a child custody case from the State of: Michigan.

This is my situation: I had a child out of wedlock in Michigan. The father signed the birth certificate and an order for support was filed. We have joint legal custody. I was granted a change of domicile to move to west virginia when child was 3 years old. I have now been married for 18 months and have two minor children with my husband. We have now been residents of pennsylvania for over a year and own our own home. (our address is only 10 miles from wv address which falls under the 100 mile rule). The father of child has his parental visitation taken from him over a year ago. The court records say he is to get alcohol and drug. Counseling an have clean drops and breathalizers, he can then file to have his rights reinstated. He has yet to do any of the requirments. In the meantime he has had no contact with child via phone or skpe as allowed even though visits have been denied. My son is now almost five years old and even before we moved visits where very sparatic. He has been paying child support here and there however has an arrearage of over $1500. I am a stay at home mom and my husband has a significant income In a perfect world I would like to terminate parental rights to father and have my husband adopt my son. Who has jurisdiction over this case and does biological father meet the requirements for an absent parent or abandonment? I am going to assume that he will not voluntarily sign over his rights.

- - - Updated - - -

Biological father still resides in Michigan.

[Mr. Knowitall]

Have you kept the Michigan court and the child's father appraised of your new address and telephone number?

If the child is presently domiciled in Pennsylvania then you would ultimately explore stepparent adoption under Pennsylvania law. It will be easiest if the biological father consents, so consider asking him if he will consent. You may want to discuss strategy with a lawyer in case the father initiates a custody action in Michigan in response to any proceedings you initiate in Pennsylvania, particularly if you're going to act within six months of relocation.

To see grounds for involuntary termination of a father's rights under Pennsylvania law, see Pa.C.S. Sec. 2511.

[sahm4two]

The courts are aware of my new address. I am looking into attorneys in the area for step parent adoption now. However, upon viewing my case file for Mi. On 7/5/12 it say "Uniform Child Support modification" does this mean that legal father has already begun some kind of legal action?