[Loving3sons]

My divorce, custudy & child support orders are currently in Wyoming. My EX still lives there. He does not visit or make any type of contact. He does pay garnished child support but is still $20,000+ behind. My WY attorney has advised that we obtain an attorney here in New Mexico (where our son is a resisdent), to file for termination of EX's parental rights and start adoption proceedings for my husband & son.

How does that work when jurisdiction is currently in WY? Will we 1st have to get the jurisdiction transferred? Or is my son being a resident here enough?; meaning the divorce/custudy jurisdiction has nothing to do with termination & adoption? I know that having custudy jurisdiction changed can be very difficult. I'm also pretty sure my EX will contest the termination and adoption.

And finally, does anyone have stories, advice, etc. about how termination & step-father adoptions work in NM? Do you think we have a chance?

Thank you! Susan

[#1Mommy]

I am in a different state than you, but I thought I would share how my dh and I have had to do things. When we first got married, he lived in TN, but his custody/child support orders were all done in TX. The first thing we had to do was petition to have the case moved from TX jurisdiction to TN. It may not be the case in NM where you are, but it would make sense to have the case moved to where ever you and the child are residents. Hope this helps.

[Loving3sons]

Thank you #1Mommy. Was it difficult to have the jurisdiction transferred? Did you have to prove anything? I really appreciate you taking the time to post.