Stepfather Wants To Adopt My Daughter, In New York

[passion4hockey]

Hi, I have been remarried for 2 years and my 11 year old daughter (soon to be 12) wants my husband to adopt her. She currently visits her bio dad every other weekend (court ordered), and he has a drinking problem. He is remarried with a 4 year old daughter, and this past weekend it came to our attention that that marriage may soon dissolve as well. My husband had been planning on adopting her from the beginning, we just wanted to make sure it was what she wanted as well. I currently don't have a lawyer handy, and was wondering what the first steps were, or if I even need a lawyer to follow through on this? Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[Mr. Knowitall]

Unless her father is willing to consent to step-parent adoption, I doubt that your petition will get very far.

[passion4hockey]

What would be my first step. He wanted to terminate his rights when his child support went up 12 dollars a couple of years ago. Given that he owes me thousands, I'm pretty sure he'll sign. I just don't know what my first step would be, I mean can I file the petition without an attorney? If so, where exactly do I go to get the process started?

[Baystategirl]

What would be my first step. He wanted to terminate his rights when his child support went up 12 dollars a couple of years ago. Given that he owes me thousands, I'm pretty sure he'll sign. I just don't know what my first step would be, I mean can I file the petition without an attorney? If so, where exactly do I go to get the process started?

You need an adoption attorney. This is not a do it yourself project.

Good luck!!

[passion4hockey]

Ok thank you. I don't think it will be a problem getting him to sign off on the paperwork. I guess I was just wondering about filing the petition and how to get started with all of that. I called my divorce attorney today, I don't know when he'll call me back or if he even remembers me. I was hoping I could do something on my end first.