Such a wonderful site to explore, you all are awesome!
So here is the situation, and sorry if I bog it down with details.
I have an 8yr old daughter who carries her biological fathers last name.
I cannot afford step parent adoption, since it is around $5K here. So, I was thinking, is it feasible to terminate my ex's (never married) parental rights, and just change her last name to my married name?

A little background on the ex...He is currently incarcerated in FL. At the end of our 6yr relationship, I found out this man is a registered sexual predator in the state of FL (attempted sexual battery minor, victim under 12). My daughter was 2 at the time I left. We have not seen him since and he has spent the majority of the past 6 years in prisons or jail.
I figure with his past history and current incarceration, plus zero envolvement with my daughter, it shouldn't be hard to terminate his rights, but do I need to file the termination thing in FL where he is and her place of birth, or in GA our place of residence?

Also hypotheticaly, assuming my ex's rights have been terminated, in the event of my death, would my daughter likely remain with my husband, or would she be sent to a blood relative (grandparents)?

I know stepparent adoption would be the ideal answer, if only we could afford it.

Thanks in advance and sorry for all the questions that probably should have been posted in other areas.