[warehousechick]

Hello, hy son is now 8 1/2 years old, he has seen his bio-dad about 6 times since he was 13 months old. Each visit lasts from a day or so. This last weeks visit lasted 3 hours. My son is scared of his bio-dad because he told my child NOT to call my husband Daddy because it hurts his feelings?? (my son started calling my husband Daddy about 4 years ago himself) Who's feelings do you think got hurt the 7 year old or the 32 year old. This particular incident happened last year and that is why my son doesn't want overnight visits anymore. I am the sole custodial parent and the bio-dad has no court order visitation rights. His pay is garnished for support though. We were not married when my son was born. The bio-dad was abusive towards me, that is why I left him when my son was 13 minths old. The bio-dad is now remarried with three other children younger than my son and two children that are older than my son that he refuses to talk about. I am not allowed (by bio-dad) to speak to his wife and can only contact him by his cell-phone. Under California law does anyone know if my son can file for adoption himself at the age of 12? Any help would be greatly appreciated. PS. bio-dad lives in New York state.

[Kallen330]

As a minor he cannot file for himself, however he can agree to the adoption and sign the papers for it. As the sole custodial parent you may want to research your options for petitioning the termination of parental rights and then an adoption.

Good luck!