[DT4]

well, my wife and I have married for just over a year now, i have been raising my daughter(step) since she was 3, she is now 7.

her father has been in and out of jail and heas not seen or talked to her father in 3 years. about 1-1/2 years ago the father wrote my wife a letter saying he was going to sign over his rights, but now that it's time, he is fighting it. We go to court on april 28th.

my wife and I are scared. our daughter wants to be adopted so bad, she wants the same last name as we do. when she was younger she used to see her father every other weekend, but he was always getting a babysitter for her, or being a disneyland dad.

all we want is to be able to raise her in a good Christian home w/ good Christian morals and beliefs, which would not be inforced w/ the father.

Please pray for us!! if anyone has any information that would help us out please email me don.thompson@walterswholesale.com

thank you!!!

[reneetaylor]

Has your daughter's bio dad been paying child support or seeing her regularly in the last couple of yrs? If not, then he can contest all he wants, but cannot get the judge to rule in his favor. I'd say to take it to court and see if this guy has the nerve to show up and fight your petition. Also, depending on her maturity level, your daughter may want to speak with the judge in person and let her wishes be known.

I will definitely say a prayer for you and your family! I wish you the best of luck in getting this sorted out.

Renee

[DT4]

Renee, I might be duplicating my post here, if so , sorry!

Thank you sooo much for your prayers, prayer is a very strong thing.

to answer your question, no, the bio has not seen, nor spoke w/ our daughter in 3 years, nor has he paid anything.

he did call our lawyer last week, and told them that he would be there.

this whole thing is scary and nerve racking.....but all I keep doing is praying and giving it to God.

thank you again

Don

[reneetaylor]

Well Don - hang in there! I too beleive in the power of prayer and I really can't see where a judge would give that guy any privlages when considering his past behavior.

If I were you, I'd make a request for back payments on his child support as well. If nothing else, that might make him agree to give up his rights in return for not having to pay the money.

Oh, by the way - I have some experience with this myself, so I am not just coming up with unsubstantiated comments or suggestions.


Renee

[DT4]

Renee, thank you again!!

And I never thought you were comming up w/ unsubstantiated comments or suggestions, I appreciate any feedback at all.

Renee, God Bless you and your family!


Don

[DT4]

Well, we went to court yesterday the 28th , the bio showed up w/ his girlfriend and some little kid , approx 1 year old calling him daa..........

at 9 a.m. he then told the clerk he wanted a court appointed lawyer, which all along he knew we had our lawyer. The bio was poorly dressed.

After we waited for a lawyer for him for 3 hours he denied giving up his rights, even though he hasn't had any contact or communication w/ my daughter in 3 years. All she kept asking is, "why doesn't he just sign the papers" she is 7 .


So we go back in June, and see what happens. I just wish my daughter didn't have to go through any of this!!!

[vicrose]

Did you keep the letter which said he wanted to give over his rights? Even without that letter I really don't think that this guy is going to give much of a problem in court though. Was there ever a child support order? Because if there was one and he just hasn't paid because he didn't want to, he could go to jail for that as well, is he aware of that fact?! I speak from experience...I went through a five year court battle with my ex-husband over custody and child support....he didn't want his kids...but he didn't want anyone else to have them either...you know that story all too well....well, this father really tried to snow everyone also...my ex moved to another state 1500 miles away as soon as the court case was over and I won...and he rarely has contact with his children...never any cards for they're birthday's, no gifts, and not even a lousy phone call once in a while....so his undying love for his children ended when the courts told him to kiss off......we have a very liberal visitation schedule...but he just never comes to see them....so you see...this other father of yours is just playing games, but hopefully the courts will see through his silliness!!!!......God Bless You and your family and keep you strong throughout this whole court process!!!!!! Brenda....

[DT4]

Brenda, thank you soo much for your support!!!!!!

And yes, we have the letter saying he is willing to give up his rights!!! Our lawyer also has a copy. As far as money goes he did have an order years back to pay, but that stopped the 1st time he went to jail (for approx 1month) . At that time we said , fine no money money = no visitation . So we contacted our lawyer and my wife has had full custody of our daughter since.

and he hasn't shown any interest either, until now, which we are the ones who started the whole adoption process, which must have triggered something in his head. I really don't know.

Thank you again for your support and Prayers!!!!!!!

God Bless!!!!!!!!!