
Quoting
BugOut
My question involves adoption law for the State of: California
My Husband has a 17 year old Son, as the result of a one-night stand. He has never had much of a relationship with him. He has joint legal custody and pays child support. The Mother has full physical and joint legal custody, and never cared if there was a relationship between the Father and Son. Her only concern was child support, and has taken my Husband back to court several times to raise the amount.
The Mother had a Marriage ceremony 15+ years ago, but was never legally Married. They have 5 kids of their own. The Step-Father has been the Father figure to the Son for most of his life. My Husband asked them 15 years ago if the Step-Father wanted to adopt the Son, but they did not. My Husband thinks this was only due to the child support they would lose.
Just recently, they asked my Husband if the Step-Father could adopt the Son. We are wondering why, after 17+ years and the Son is almost an adult. We were given a vague answer, but we were told that their other 5 children are eligible for College tuition of some kind, and that the Son is not. If the Son is adopted, then he would be eligible.
This seemed suspicious to my Husband and I. It seems odd that the Mother would be fine with losing the child support she has been getting.
They told us that if my Husband did not sign his rights away, they would pursue getting the adoption done without his consent.
Are there any pitfalls to my Husband giving up his rights?
He says he is only willing to sign-off on it if child support ceases immediately. Does that take long in an adoption case?
Any insights are helpful.
Thank you.