Child Abandonment

[msjackie33]

My question involves child support in the State of: Tenessee

I am the mother of the child. The father of the child has not contact us, nor paid child support in 2 years. How long do I have to wait before abandonment can be claimed so my husband and I adopt my child?

[aardvarc]

It's not just claiming abandonment - in order for the adoption to go through, it takes more than just him not contacting you. You'll need to show the court that you've done everything possible to provide notice to the father - which may include things like registered mail to last known official addresses, service by publication, etc. If this part isn't done absolutely right, the adoption could later be overturned, so the services of an attorney to make sure all the i's are dotted and t's crossed is STRONGLY recommended. Once all strenuous efforts on YOUR part to make contact with him have failed or gone unanswered, THEN a termination of dad's rights in conjunction with an adoption can be blessed by the court.