[shaneknisley]

I have no idea how to go about this. I have been in a realtionahip with my girlfriend/finance for about two years. I meet her son when he was 8 months old. I have been a father to him ever since. The biological father has never made any contact, does not pay support, or has anything to do with the child. The bio-father is also, or was institutionalized for drug use/dealing for about a year and a half, to my knowledge. I would like to adopt my son, minus the name change. We would like him to keep his mothers last name. The father is not even listed on the birth certificate. Do we have to contact the father in order for me to adopt him? Do we have to be married? We have been living together for 1 1/2 years, so I have picked up the support where the father has failed. Do we need a lawyer? Any help would be some, as I have none right now. Thank you.