[rebelchick]

Gina,
My husband and I felt the same way you did. He has been my son's dad for the last 6 years, the BF was never involved and could care less until we filled paperwork regarding a step parent adoption. Of course then he was wonder pop and claimed what a super dad he was. We did all the paperwork ourselves filing etc and it just so happened that when we filled 1/2002 the laws had changed where you had to terminate parental rights before you could adopt. He disappeared, we tried to terminate parental rights, I did the diligent search a real pain in the butt newspaper notice etc...filed all that in 11/2003 went to get our court date for the termination hearing in the beginning of Jan after the newspaper had run it's course and were told the rules changed again and we no longer needed to terminate first, as of May 2003 termination coincides with the step parent adoption.

I don't mean to ramble but it was a lot of work mostly mentally but in the long run it was all worth it it probably cost us under $500 including publication in newspaper and filing fees and as of January 22nd, 2004 the adoption is DONE!!!

I would be more that happy to get a list of the sites where I found all the forms, instructions, rules both from your circuit court and the Supreme court together for you. You will have to terminate parental rights and if there is a question on if he even is the BF you have to take a paternity test if he not you have to run an add regarding the time of conception in the paper lots of stuff, but if your heart is in it and you don't mind doing the work yourself you and your husband will save thousands of dollars and the outcome is well worth it. Let me know if you want help I'll do what ever I can to give someone the happiness we have

God Bless you and yours
rebelchick