My question involves adoption law for the State of: Michigan
Hello! My husband and I have petitioned for a step-parent adoption in Michigan. My daughter's "father" hasn't seen her since she was eight months old (she is now five years old), though his last child support payment was in August of 2006, just shy of the two year requirement for Michigan to terminate his rights.
I thought he would consent to the adoption, considering he doesn't and hasn't ever wanted anything to do with my daughter. Instead, he is saying that he will only sign if I pay for a "DNA test" (he signed an Affadavit of Parentage). Frankly, I don't believe that he would be using this money for any such thing, that this is simply an attempt to extort money, and it is a ridiculous request, considering I've already paid for him to walk away from the situation.
So I have a few questions. Can he request a DNA test in court for these proceedings? If he did, the court would require HIM to pay for it, correct?
Also, we have an appointment with a lawyer on Thursday to see about having his rights terminated. Do you know of situations in which a court will terminate if the last payment is just shy of the two-year mark, considering he hasn't seen her in over four years?
Thanks in advance!