[mbsnodgrass68]

Ugh, my last thread I tried to post just erased itself so maybe that was a sign I was rambling. Moral of the story, I left my daughters bio-father in Texas when she was 8 mo old. Mind you I planned on returning, but after being removed from the environment realized I was in an abusive relationship, so I stayed in MO. My husband of 1 1/2 years, who was been my daughters "daddy" since she was about 18 mo wants to adopt her. Bio-father has never paid child support, I never got a court order, and has never made any attempts to see her. I do not know where bio-father is, but I do know that if I found him, he would not consent to my husband adopting my daughter. I am so lost as to where I even begin. I obviously want this to be as quick and painless for everybody as possible, but my daughter will be five in a month, and starting school next year. I would like her to have the same last name as the rest of our family, and I just don't know how to make that happen. Do I need an attorney? If so, does anyone localy have any suggestions? I presume it would have to be someone who specializes in family law, but I really am that naive, and just don't know. Just to let anyone know who might be able to help, what I have going in my favor is that he has not tried to contact us in 2 years. He has paid a grand total of 45 dollars to me since I have been in MO (July of 02). I have a recorded message from my voice mail where aside from other vulgarities directed at me, he renounced any claim to my daughter- however, I cannot prove that it is him other than him saying his full name. And lastly, a few years ago I was on government assistance, and the state was going to terminate my aid if I didn't let them go after him for child support. I was able to prove to the system that he was unfit and that he was a threat to both my daughter and myself so they did not persue him (I was worried that if he paid anything, I would have to to let him see her and that I might not get her back).
If I do not need an attorney, where do I go to get whatever forms I may need to file? Any help from anyone would be greatly appreciated, especially from anyone localy who may know more about MO law. TIA, Monica