Hi there! We are in the same situation, with TPR, and unable to locate and all that.... The attorney we are starting our work with has not given us an estimate, but I just found out my elective coverage legal plan thru work will actually cover the attorney fees for this case! (everything minus the filing fee!) Maybe check that avenue. My attorney has sugested that serving the bio father with notice by publication in his last known state is one route that SOME judges will go for. She also said that some judges want to see a little more work done, so she suggested finding a PI in the last know state and asking them to do a "search" for him and ask them their rate to fill out an affidavit of due dilligence, and the judge will find that plenty acceptable. We are lucky since my childrens' bio father does not work a legitimate job, and has not filed taxes in over 7 years nor has a residence or utility bill to call his own. I have no phone number for him, since his last one was a pre paid cell phone which he notoriously has disconnected within a month of having one. He likes to make himself invisible, and what's left of his family has pretty much disowned him and my children since I left him four years ago. We KNOW that if we could find him that he would fight the adoption out of pride and spite, but has no care in the world for the kids. He was horribly neglectful and abusive to the children, so even if we had to confront him, he'd not have a leg to stand on. I'd check out this option, and see if you can avoid him long enough to get the ball rolling. Journal everything that makes you feel he's an unfit parent. It will help out if it comes down to it being contested someday.
Good luck!
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