Maine Step Parent Adoption

My question is pertaining to adoption by me (step father) of my step daughter. Backround, my wife was never married to the biological father, we are expecting our own child in November. I am in the service and my step daughter is under my insurance and lives with my wife and I. The biological dad (loser) is 27 lives at home with mom and dad has had 3 DUIs (most recent a month ago) has no responsibilty for anything. Just started a year ago to give my wife 250 dollars a month (not always on time and from differnet sources ie checks from differnte people, because he has no checking account) My step daughter is 8 and has never provded her with anything. My wife and I are battling it out with him over some issues, mainly with us having to relocate due to the service. he is not a role model in any way shape or form, and I dont want my daughter(shes more mine than his at this point) to have to deal with all his shortcomings because well basically he is a loser. Any help on how I can adopt her and be rid of him with as little a fight as possible. it is definitley in her best interest, and she is excited about her sister who is on the way and wants to change her name to feel liek part of the family. This is a smart girl who does not need to be messed up by some loser who can not grow up. Again this is for MAINE.

If you wish to avoid a fight, try to get the biological father to consent to the step-parent adoption.

What if he doesnt consent? How egnthy or costly can it be. How much will I have to fight. in the long run its in her best interest.

If he doesn't consent, you would have to establish a basis to terminate his parental rights. You can call local law firms to find out what they would charge for a contested or uncontested step-parent adoption proceeding.