My Fiance' Adopting My Children

[Kaylin66]

Basically I'm just wondering how my fiance' would be able to adopt my two children from a previous relationship. We have been living together for almost 2 years, and my kids call him "daddy". I have had sole custody of my two children for over two years now, and the biological father has been in and out of their lives for over 3 years now. My kids know their biological father is their father, but they also know that my fiance' acts more like a father. It was their idea to start calling him "daddy" aswell. The kids are 5 and 7.

If it matters, my fiance and I are expecting a baby in May 2010.

I'd appreciate any help or advice anyone may have.

Thank you,
Kaylin.

[525601minutes]

1. laws vary by state
2. the father would have to agree to terminate his parental rights first

[Kaylin66]

The whole reason I received sole custody is because the biological father is never around. He jumps in and out and it's hard to even find him. Would we have any sort of case with it without the father signing anything? The government even can't find him when he disappears for months at a time. We just want to make sure the children will be okay if *god forbid* something happens to me.

[525601minutes]

Again - laws vary by state. If you tell us what state you're in you will get a more qualified answer.

[NdK1009]

Also, most states are hesitant to grant adoptions to fiances. Your best bet is to get married and then petition your state based upon the applicable law(s).