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Adoption Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Adoption for Ohio on
Q: My daughter is 15 and her bio dad isn’t on the birth certificate or around , can my husband of 8 years adopt her?

My daughter’s biological father is not listed on the birth certificate and has never paid child support. We have proved paternity. He has never shown any interest is her whatsoever. My husband and I have been together since she was two and would love to adopt her. Do we have to get her biological... Read more »

Cathy Cook Esq
Cathy Cook Esq answered on Feb 28, 2021

Based on the facts you’ve provided, a step-parent adoption can occur. You will have to notify father, but don’t need his permission based on no support and no contact for one year.

1 Answer | Asked in Adoption for Louisiana on
Q: Can My finance adopt my son before getting married with biological fathers consent?

Bio father is willing to terminate rights to allow fiancé to adopt. Who would be the defendant?

Ellen Cronin Badeaux
Ellen Cronin Badeaux answered on Feb 23, 2021

With father's consent yes. But attorney will have to be appointed for father.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Adoption for Louisiana on
Q: Can my fiancé and I petition for him to adopt my son?

Biological father pays support through the state but chooses to not have contact despite having the child’s direct personal number?

Ellen Cronin Badeaux
Ellen Cronin Badeaux answered on Feb 23, 2021

In order to adopt:

1) you have to be married,

2) you have to shut down your support enforcement case.

2 Answers | Asked in Family Law, Adoption, Civil Rights and Juvenile Law for Missouri on
Q: My little sister is 17, she graduates early and wants to move in with me is that possible?

We were all adopted, her adopted family is horrible. There has been many wellness checks on her from me. Many DFS calls on the family so much stress she ran away and they brought her back. She is 17 she graduates early, and would like to live with me. I've contacted so many people and they... Read more »

Spencer Williams
Spencer Williams answered on Feb 21, 2021

She can file a petition for emancipation. You can consider filing for guardianship of your sister as well.

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1 Answer | Asked in Adoption for Kentucky on
Q: How easy is stepparent adoption if the bio-dad didn't sign the birth certificate

I live in KY . The father of my daughter didn't sign birth certificate, when I was pregnant he was abusive and I had a active DVO for 3 years . Has a criminal record and has never seen her or signed anything saying he was the father Would he be notified if my fiance adopted her ? Would he... Read more »

Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison answered on Feb 19, 2021

Yes. He would have to be notified. If he does nothing, you win by default. If he opposes it, you have to gave a contested hearing and the judge will decide.

1 Answer | Asked in Adoption and Child Custody for Ohio on
Q: I’ve been adopted for 8yrs can I get emancipated in the state of Ohio at 15 to live in California with other family?

I have 2 brothers who got adopted with me. My older brother moved out right at 18. My other brother is 10 and he’s pretty spoiled here. I want to live with my dad because it was a wrongful adoption. My mom had drugs in the house and my mom and dad weren’t even together. We were going to go live... Read more »

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap answered on Feb 19, 2021

Ohio does not have emancipation for your situation. Here is a link with more information. https://www.ohiobar.org/public-resources/commonly-asked-law-questions-results/family-relations/circumstances-say-whether-minors-are-emancipated/

Talk to a school counselor or other trusted adult...
Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Adoption and Family Law for Louisiana on
Q: can a child whose been adopted do a reverse adoption at 20 years old

I want to be unadopted im 20 years old and broke

Ellen Cronin Badeaux
Ellen Cronin Badeaux answered on Feb 19, 2021

If your biological parent wants to adopt you as an adult they can. They will need an adoption attorney.

1 Answer | Asked in Adoption and Family Law for Oklahoma on
Q: In Oklahoma’s friend/someone dear too me is dealing with a verbal abusive father and half caring mother. She wants out

Basically the person my love that I truly care for her and she dealing with unable to attend a normal schooling and she has a abusive verbal dad that talks crap too her and her mother and I am wanting to get her out of that place and see about letting her move in she currently 15 but by May she... Read more »

Pete David Louden
Pete David Louden answered on Feb 16, 2021

What is your relationship to the child?

1 Answer | Asked in Adoption and Animal / Dog Law for Kentucky on
Q: Do I have to legally give my friend back his dog while fostering if no legal papers were wrote up ?

I live in Kentucky and my friend wasn’t nice to his puppy & took his anger out on her . For example : I’ve seen him scream at her , shake her , and attempt to choke her ( I stopped him ) .He asked me to foster her until he gets stable which I agreed to . He’s still not Stable , and he... Read more »

Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison answered on Feb 16, 2021

Yes. The dog belongs to him. You just said so in your question. If he is mistreating the dog, report him to animal services. If they remove the dog, them you can possibly adopt him.

1 Answer | Asked in Adoption and Family Law for Florida on
Q: How do we get children back after grandparents adoption we were not aware of? Grandma always said it was a guardianship.

My husband's mother has a grandparents adoption his mother asked him to sign a "guardianship" for both boys so that she could care for them while he was medically incapacitated. *now at this time my husband was a single dad, the mom of both boys terminated her parental rights to not... Read more »

Terrence H Thorgaard
Terrence H Thorgaard answered on Feb 13, 2021

Your husband needs to obtain the services of an attorney to consider suing for custody. It's not clear whether the "guardianship" paper he signed pertained to a court adoption petition or simply was a relatively meaningless piece of paper.

1 Answer | Asked in Elder Law, Family Law, Adoption and Animal / Dog Law for Texas on
Q: I’m 18 I got a puppy online and been taking care of it at my grama place I’m going my to my parents but I think there

Planing on giving it away what are my rights?

Teri A. Walter
Teri A. Walter answered on Feb 11, 2021

Sorry, no matter how old you are, your parents get to make the rules about what they will allow in their house. If they don't want the puppy, I suggest you arrange another place to stay. No, they shouldn't give away your property, but if you're living at their house, you're... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Adoption for Kentucky on
Q: 14 yr ago i had an open cps case which then was closed. Can i foster a child or adopt?

i had a drug in my system they got me for child neglect. Even though i didnt have my child around me when i did it but because it was in my system they gave me the neglect charge. I then never failed another drug test and took drug classes and parenting classes and i passed all of them and received... Read more »

Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison answered on Feb 6, 2021

You can certainly apply. Might be able to foster now if no other negative occurrences.

1 Answer | Asked in Adoption and Family Law for Texas on
Q: I am wanting my step-dad to adopt me and wondering if it effects back child support?

I am currently 25 years and my real father hasn't paid any child support.

Rick  Davis
Rick Davis answered on Feb 3, 2021

If you want to be adopted by your stepfather, your natural father will have to have his parental rights terminated either by a Voluntary Affidavit of Relinquishment or involuntarily through a Petition to Terminate parental rights. Your natural father's child support arrearages will still be... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Adoption for Idaho on
Q: I was adopted at 2 days old and have not yet met my biological father. How can I find him if i dont know where to look?

My birthdate is October 3, 1997. I was born in La Habra, CA. None of my biological family remember his name. I would love to meet him and get to know him.

Kevin M Rogers
Kevin M Rogers answered on Feb 1, 2021

This is a very difficult task. If your adoption was "closed," as many states are, then you will probably want to reach out on social media with photos of yourself. You can also subscribe to a genealogy site and put "feelers" out. People who have been adopted will help you.... Read more »

2 Answers | Asked in Adoption, Child Custody, Child Support and Divorce for Georgia on
Q: What happens of my wife is trying to adopt a child during our divorce? Can she adopt without my consent?

We are currently separated, will I be responsible for the child

Regina Irene Edwards
Regina Irene Edwards answered on Jan 31, 2021

She does not need your consent to divorce. If you do not adopt the child, it will not be your responsibility. Make sure you represented in the divorce so the paperwork is clear.

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2 Answers | Asked in Adoption, Child Custody and Family Law for Georgia on
Q: I want to get full custody of my 4 year old niece who lost her mom last year. My brother brought her to me last March.

I have cared for her ever since. I have been taking care of her for almost a year and would like to make this a more permanent situation. As of late my brother and eye have not been seeing eye to eye. He got upset with me over money. And now he continues to threaten to pull her out of school and... Read more »

V. Joy Edwards
V. Joy Edwards answered on Jan 24, 2021

I'm sorry to hear you are going through such a tough situation with your brother and niece. As an aunt who currently has physical custody, you have the right to ask the court for custody. It is important that we move quickly to get this done. We would be happy to help with getting you custody.... Read more »

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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Adoption and Legal Malpractice for Georgia on
Q: What can we do about misrepresentation or omission of information?

The lawyer said things to the adoptive parents the day of our daughter’s birth that neither one of us said, nor told her to say. We weren’t aware of the worst possible outcomes in adoption either. If we had a clue that it would be like this we would’ve never done it. How is this legal? How... Read more »

Homer P Jordan IV
Homer P Jordan IV answered on Jan 21, 2021

Was this your lawyer or the lawyer for the other person? What was written out in the papers that were signed? You may want to consult with an attorney who can review the facts of the case in detail and present you with any options you may have.

1 Answer | Asked in Adoption, Child Custody and Domestic Violence for Florida on
Q: I have a child from an unmarried relationship and my husband and I would like for him to be able to adopt her.

The father on the birth certificate has not seen her since her first birthday. Has not provided any financial support since her birth and only tries to contact me on her birthday every year and she is now five. He is already involved in another custody case with his wife who is trying to get a... Read more »

Rand Scott Lieber
Rand Scott Lieber answered on Jan 21, 2021

You must address the biological father's rights one way or another. The easier way id for the bio father to consent to the adoption. The more difficult way is for you to go to court to terminate bio father's parental rights. One of those two things must happen to facilitate the adoption... Read more »

2 Answers | Asked in Adoption, Child Custody and Family Law for Oklahoma on
Q: If a parent voluntarily gave up custody of their child to the grandparents, can they get child back

If a parent voluntarily gave up custody of their child and allowed the grandparents to adopt, can the child come live with them if they choose at age 12? Or come live with them again at all?

Charles Watts
Charles Watts answered on Jan 19, 2021

In a short answer, No and yes. You can no longer get the child back as your children because your rights have been terminated. If the child wants, and if the child's legal parents (your parents it appears) choose to let the child stay with you, that is their right as the parents, however, in... Read more »

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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Adoption, Child Custody and Civil Litigation for New York on
Q: me and my grandmother had a big fight and shes practically kicking me out. what are my options In leaving? I'm only 16.

she wont pay for anything I need anymore including famine products hygiene products or clothes or anything I need. I tried moving in my mother but my grandma said that its court ordered that I cant live with her until I'm 18. can a court do that? how can it be possible that I can live with her... Read more »

Lawrence Allen Weinreich
Lawrence Allen Weinreich answered on Jan 18, 2021

First you need to speak to your mother and find out what orders if any there are. Once you know what the order says if anything, you can speak to a lawyer to get information on what to do. The alternative, is to go to family court and file a petition for support from your grandmother as she is... Read more »

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