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Originally Posted By Christina

My fiance is in the process of moving to the united states from australia, and we plan to be married in the next year. His five year old son is coming with him and I was wondering how hard it would be for me to adopt this little boy. His mom ran off when he was 2, right after his dad got sick, and when his father was better, he went to court and made her sign over all of her rights to the child. She never showed, so the court gave my fiance full and complete custody of this child. Do i have to legally adopt him, or do i become his mother as soon as we are married? He starts school in about 4 months, and because my name isn't on his birth certificate, I can't get him enrolled in school, nor do i have any say on medical treatment and such. Can someone please give me advice, either here, or email me: christinab_66076@yahoo.com any advice would be greatly appericated.