Father Needs Help Adopting Step Child

[dcoggins]

My question involves adoption law for the State of: New Jersey

I am recently married and i want to try and adopt my step son. His birth father has never been a part of his life at all so me and my wife do not know where he currently lives or his phone number. Do i need a lawyer. What can i do on my own. Where do i even start. Please help.

[Baystategirl]

My question involves adoption law for the State of: New Jersey

I am recently married and i want to try and adopt my step son. His birth father has never been a part of his life at all so me and my wife do not know where he currently lives or his phone number. Do i need a lawyer. What can i do on my own. Where do i even start. Please help.

Your wife will have to consult with an adoption attorney. The fathers rights will have to be terminated and adoption is not a "do it yourself project".

[Mr. Knowitall]

It's not insurmountable to do a step-parent adoption without a lawyer, but I can't find a free online guide to the process for New Jersey and, from what I see of New Jersey's statutes, it's one of the more complicated states for step-parent adoption. You will also either need to get the biological father's consent or convince a court to terminate his rights. I would suggest contacting some lawyers to see what they might charge to complete this process for you.