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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Eastern, NC
    Posts
    1

    Question Adoption of My Step Daughter

    I have a question that needs answering so someone please help? I currently reside in North Carolina with my wife of now 4 years. When we married she had a daughter already. My question is this.....Her father is now out of the country living in Australia with his girlfriend he met online. He has not paid any child support in over 2 years, and we have not heard from him in over two years. He has no plans to come back to the states, and I want to know what I can do about adopting my stepdaughter? What time frames, or policies have I got to do, because we are absolutely exhausted from trying to get in touch with him. He used to have a cell phone that works, but now, he is totally out of contact. What can I do to addopt her without his permission, as my wife is behind me 100% with this and we just want it down, and close this chapter for everyone?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    28,906

    Default Re: Adoption of My Step Daughter

    You can proceed with a step-parent adption if (a) he consents, (b) he doesn't respond to notice of the petition, or (c) his parental rights have been terminated. Grounds for termination of parental rights are set forth in NCGS § 7B‑11, and include, "(4) One parent has been awarded custody of the juvenile by judicial decree or has custody by agreement of the parents, and the other parent whose parental rights are sought to be terminated has for a period of one year or more next preceding the filing of the petition or motion willfully failed without justification to pay for the care, support, and education of the juvenile, as required by said decree or custody agreement."

    You can review North Carolina's adoption statutes, Chapter 48 of the North Carolina General Statutes, here.

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