Relinquishing Parental Rights Without Adoption

[justice08]

Essentially, here is the situation...
My ex-girlfriend and I had a child roughly 18 months ago. The relationship was not solid to begin with, and we went our separate ways before the child was even born. Though we tried many mutual understandings and agreements as far the child's welfare, tensions continued to mount. As of late, the child's mother has married, moved several times, and in the process indirectly kept me from having a decent relationship with my child. We have come to the recent agreement that the best option for the baby is for her husband to adopt the child. However, due to location issues and the fact that the hospital was very late in getting the birth certificate made, I was not present at the time it was to be signed, and this issue has not been resolved yet. So, on paper, I am not considered the child's father. I have heard that adoption is quite expensive, so i was wondering if there was an easier way, such as simply signing a contract with the mother saying that I am surrendering any potential rights, and that I will not sue if the step father signs his name on the birth certificate. If anyone could help me out with this, it would be greatly appreciated. thank you

[Xena]

Essentially, here is the situation...
My ex-girlfriend and I had a child roughly 18 months ago. The relationship was not solid to begin with, and we went our separate ways before the child was even born. Though we tried many mutual understandings and agreements as far the child's welfare, tensions continued to mount. As of late, the child's mother has married, moved several times, and in the process indirectly kept me from having a decent relationship with my child. We have come to the recent agreement that the best option for the baby is for her husband to adopt the child. However, due to location issues and the fact that the hospital was very late in getting the birth certificate made, I was not present at the time it was to be signed, and this issue has not been resolved yet. So, on paper, I am not considered the child's father. I have heard that adoption is quite expensive, so i was wondering if there was an easier way, such as simply signing a contract with the mother saying that I am surrendering any potential rights, and that I will not sue if the step father signs his name on the birth certificate. If anyone could help me out with this, it would be greatly appreciated. thank you

You, or your ex should get a quick consult with a local adoption attorney, it will be worth the small cost to find out what papers need to be filed so the adoption can proceed.