[StormySerenity]

I just moved to Arkansas a year ago and I am trying to find out about how my husband can adopt my daughter. She hasn't seen her father in 4 years and 5 months and he has never paid child support. In Florida (where we lived previously) it was pretty much impossible for him to adopt her without her bio father signing over his rights and I have no idea where to find him. If we had gotten past that, the cost was enough to BUY a child. If anyone has any information about how we can start the process and what the process consists of or where we can get information on what we need to do, I would really really like you forever and put you on my Christmas card list when I start one.
Thanks!

[militarywife]

I understand what you are going through, in the state of Arkansas if the absent parent abandoned the child over a year ago and you can prove this and hasn't supported the child then that is legal abandonment in this state. That was told to me by an Army Judge Advocate. There is a website called Nationwide Court Documents that does step parent adoptions and in your case it would cost you $395.00 which trust me isn't bad, and that is with you not knowing where the absent parent is. I'll be glad to give you any advice I know of if you'd like. My husband is active military so all of our information comes from military attorneys. I pray for you, your child, and your husband that he is capable to adopt your daughter. Sincerely Militarywife

[StormySerenity]

Thanks for the advice and help and that will save me money. I have consulted with some lawyers since I posted that and the least expensive I found was $850 which was AMAZING compared to most lawyers who wanted $1800+. I think the Lord for leading us to Arkansas so that my daughter can have a legal dad in the man who has raised and provided for her since she was 1.

[ucle]

Where is the normal (fastest) time for a step parent adoption, Given the birth father has already lost custody (in Colorado, amazing enough) years ago. He is also trying every trick in the book to avoid paying child suport (more than 6 years worth).

My sister wants to know. Its kind of important to her that her children start highschool with a better mans last name. They have been married for more than 3 years and the kids realy like him and would like to be adopted as well (even if its just a final legal paper).