[Joyful Momma]

Don't worry- the courts are concerned with the best interests of your child! I am the adoptive "real" momma of 3 wonderful precious gifts from God. Their birth mother, my husband's ex-wife, pulled a similar stunt.

My suggestions: first, 5 months without contact ("contact" does not include phone calls) is grounds for abandonment. If the ex is supposed to be paying child support, attending "transparenting" classes, etc, and has not done so, those are also grounds for termination of parental rights.

In the state of TN (you need to check with an adoption lawyer in your state for regulations), a request for termination of parental rights is filed at the same time as a request for step-parent adoption. The judge, or chancellor, will normally process those together.

Many prayers for you. If you need any other advice, info, please let me know!