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Originally Posted By Janet

I have been married to my husband for almost six years. He has custody of his 8 year old daughter. We haven't heard from her biological mom in more than two years, other than receiving child support checks. There has been no contact whatsoever. Can you give me a contact name or number to get me started on the road to legal adoption of her? Your help is appreciated. Thanks.

[KevJTaylor]

The kid is 8, I was 8 when my mom married, her husband adopted me when I was 11. At 8, she's already old enough to remember it. Why bother. Maybe it'll make you feel better. What will help her is who you are to her and what kind of relationship you have. The adoption is bs. Plus, you'll lose the child support.
My step parent adoption released my bio dad from his financial obligation. My mom's marriage turned to **** and my step dad screwed me over. I could have forced my bio dad to help pay for my college but the adoption eliminated that possibility. Just love her and the paper work won't matter.

[dolsen]

Why bother?

I understand that this is my first post, but I can't understand the reasoning behind your respose, KevJTaylor.

I guess a little background is necessary here. I have been married for 1 1/2 years and have every intention of adopting her girls. Their father has been completely AWOL for the last 2 years. He stopped paying child support and aparrently vanished from the face of the earth. That's the good news.

Hopefully he has been forgotten. The girls have called me dad for quite a while now, and I would have it no other way. What kills me the most right now is they still have his last name. All homework is signed with his name, yet I am the one helping them with it. All medical records have his name, yet I am taking them to their appointments. The last thing on my mind is the money we could be getting from him.

I want them to be mine. I want them to have my name. I see it no other way.