[CarriePika]

My husband and I have been happily married for two years now and, as my son begins school soon, we decided it was time to assure his having his father's name legally.

Kyle is the only father Indiana has known and isn't old enough to understand what Mommy and Daddy are talking about when they discuss Daddy adopting him, but we've been trying to help him feel involved in it somehow. He understands enough to know that our family is different and we don't want him to be confused about this all.

Unfortunately, Mommy and Daddy are completely at a loss as to how to go about getting him legally adopted. It is very much a no-contest adoption as his birth father, Brian, and I had not yet gotten married before he died. In fact, I'd only just found out I was pregnant when he died. We have kept in contact with Brian's family and they don't intend to contest Indy's adoption.

We don't have alot of money, but would like to get this done as quickly and as affordably as possible. As the subject says, we're located in Missouri.

Something else that is complicating this adoption is the fact that my son is not yet a US citizen. Both my son and myself are Canadian citizens and while I am a legal permanent landed resident due to my having full Native American status, my son sadly does not qualify for that status.

Does anyone have some advice on where to start?
I've been trying to do some research online and not having any luck. And we really can't afford a lawyer.

Any advice and hints to the right direction would be fantastic!

Thank you,

Carrie, Kyle and Indiana

[Robert S]

Someone in your county is involved with stepparent adoptions and can help you in this matter. In California the local court house had papers for stepparent adoptions and there was a person at the county offices who investigates these matters and was helpful with questions. Hope this helps.