[Elsa Marie]

My daughter gave birth to a beautiful daughter last year. The bio father was not an active participant before and after her daughter was born. However, her former boyfriend re-entered her life and was wholly supportive of her and was there 1 week prior to her baby's arrival and 1 week after. He was also present in the operating room and after medical personnel, he was the first person to tend to her. My daughter left the father block blank on the birth certificate. Her boyfriend, now fiance, has provided for her child since before her birth and they have relocated from Manhattan back to Texas where she is from. The bio father has emailed only a couple of times basically to tell her how he is doing and only inquiring in 1 sentence as to how the baby is doing. Although he knows where they reside, he has not made any attempt to see her or to provide financial assistance.

My daughter and grandchild are truly blessed in that her fiance's family has welcomed them as DIL and first grandbaby. They have been a part of their lives since the baby was 2 months old and she is most definately spoiled by the very large and extended family. It is his intention to adopt her (he is her "Papa"). Is it easier to adopt in Texas or in New York. If my memory serves me correctly I believe I read that if the bio father has not made an effort to participate in the baby's life (either physically or financially) consecutively for 6 months, then it is not necessary to notify him (or get his permission to terminate his rights) prior to the adoption. Is this true?

My daughter and future SIL do plan to tell their child that she was adopted by her Papa (they do not believe in secrets), although they will wait until she is older (late teens) before they tell her anything about the bio father. Although he has shown no real interest in the child, my daughter does not intend to say anything negative to her child because she believes that her child's well being is more important.

Can you direct us to any sites that may tell us what the procedures are for adoption in Texas and New York? The baby was born in Texas.

Thank you