[loislane2]

Does anyone know the general steps/process for a stepparent adoption in Ohio? I am going to try to adopt my stepchildren without their mother's consent since she has not paid support in the last year. We go to see the attorney next week, but I'm curious as to what the adoption process would be. All I know at this point is that we have to serve the birth mother with papers and have a home study done.

Thanks in advance for your help!

[loislane2]

In case anyone else is wondering, here in Ohio, the biological parent's consent is not needed for a stepparent adoption if a) they have not made contact with the child for a year OR b) supported the child for a year. In our state, either of these things is considered abandonment and we have now met the second condition. Of course, it's still not over yet as we have to have a home assessment, a background check, and a hearing. According to our attorney, the cards are definitely in our favor. Biomom will be notified of the hearing date and if she does not show, then the adoption is final. If she shows and contests, it can only be on the non-payment grounds and she better produce some kind of proof that she either paid us (which she didn't) or was unable to pay.