[crabcakes]

Going through this forum, I see a lot of stepparent adoptions where the biological father/mother waived their rights or easily consented to the adoption. I have to honestly say that I feel jealous that my adoption isn't as easy. And then as I read through more threads, I see stories where contested adoptions were denied, but I never see any contested adoptions that were granted. So I'm starting to feel a little discouraged. If anyone has such stories, please share.

My 10yo daughter has visited with her bio father only 4 times in the last 10 years, partly on my efforts. He's never paid child support other than a total few hundred dollars that he sent 5 years ago. He is now interested in establishing a relationship with her after we asked him to consent to the adoption. He's hired an attorney to fight the adoption which may be the only thing he needs to do to win.

My daughter loves my husband and he has committed every second of his life since he met her to making her happy. We are open to her bio father having contact with her, but we need the peace of mind of adoption so that she can continue to feel safe and happy in the only home she knows.

Any encouragement would be grateful.