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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Location
    Westland, Michigan, United States
    Posts
    18

    Default Unable to Locate Biological Father for Stepparent Adoption

    My question involves adoption law for the State of: Michigan

    I will be getting married in about a year and my fiancé and I are discussing step-parent adoption. I'm trying to get an idea of what process I would need to follow and any opinions on what should be done. (Will of course be using an attorney when the time comes).

    The biggest issue that I'm looking for input on is the termination of the bio-dad's parental rights. If I knew where he was that wouldn't be a problem - he would voluntarily terminate. I have no idea what state he is in and his phone number is no longer working. I'm in regular contact with the majority of his family and they haven't heard from him in over six months. This is par for the course. He has had zero contact with the boys in 4.5 years (hasn't met the youngest). There is no child support order. I am not on state assistance of any kind. His address for the divorce proceedings was in Oklahoma (2010) and he has since bounced between multiple states. He was in Michigan at the end of 2013 but we don't think he is in the state any longer.

    I know he will need to be served with papers regarding the termination and have a chance to appeal but how do I even go about serving him? Any ideas/opinions would be appreciated.

    Thank you.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Location
    Louisville, KY
    Posts
    1,877

    Default Re: Unable to Locate Biological Father

    None of his family or friends have ANY idea where he is? (or are they saying that because he's asked them to?) If no one will help you, I suggest you hire a private investigator. (s)he should be able to locate him fairly quickly.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Location
    Westland, Michigan, United States
    Posts
    18

    Default Re: Unable to Locate Biological Father for Stepparent Adoption

    There might be some friends in Oklahoma that know where he is but I highly doubt they would tell me. He had a falling out with his parents and a couple close friends when they told him he should be supporting his kids. And unfortunately his grandmother who he always stayed in touch with passed away.
    I'll look into the private investigator.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Location
    Louisville, KY
    Posts
    1,877

    Default Re: Unable to Locate Biological Father for Stepparent Adoption

    Have you tried all different avenues of social media? facebook, twitter, myspace, skype and a bunch of others whose names escape me right now. Try his real name, variations of his first/middle/last name and handles you know he's used before. That *might* save you a few bucks.

    Good luck!

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Location
    Westland, Michigan, United States
    Posts
    18

    Default Re: Unable to Locate Biological Father for Stepparent Adoption

    I'm "friends" with him on Facebook. Last activity was in March saying he was going to Arizona. I try googling him semi-regularly to see if anything pops up and his mom tries to find him through the county court website.

    So let me ask this... Is there a point where a court would order a termination of parental rights when I've tried everything I can think of to find him and can't? Or more accurately everything the judge tells me to try.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Somewhere near Canada
    Posts
    35,894

    Default Re: Unable to Locate Biological Father for Stepparent Adoption

    Yes - there comes a time when the court will say enough is enough and grant the TPR...but one of the conditions will be that you've made every good faith effort to find him.

    When you've been married a wee while, go and have a sit-down with an adoption attorney. The attorney will know what is expected in your particular situation.

    But yes, rest assured, the court really won't make you hold on forever.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Location
    Westland, Michigan, United States
    Posts
    18

    Default Re: Unable to Locate Biological Father for Stepparent Adoption

    Thanks for the responses. I'm hoping all the research I'm doing will help save some money once we do retain a lawyer and we get billed for every phone call and email. :-)

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Somewhere near Canada
    Posts
    35,894

    Default Re: Unable to Locate Biological Father for Stepparent Adoption

    Quote Quoting mmoynes
    View Post
    Thanks for the responses. I'm hoping all the research I'm doing will help save some money once we do retain a lawyer and we get billed for every phone call and email. :-)


    LOL kudos to you for keeping a sense of humor and a dose of reality present. That's so rare!

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