[wrw7799]

I've been with my husband for five years. He left his addict wife when she was 7 months pregnant because she would not stop using drugs or alcohol and he was recovering himself. He did not even believe the baby was his. Well it was obvious when he was born that he was--I'll call him Jaden. Jaden was born and my husband believed his ex would shape up. She didn't and he got enough courage to take on a newborn. We had been together since his seperation and I took over the care of his child while he worked. His ex didn't want anything to do with Jaden and he is now five years old! He is MY child and I've tried to explain to him (not that I wanted to) that I am not his only mom and he laughs and says that I'm joking. Now we have three other children together and one on the way. We finally got married in October of 2003, I just didn't feel like I wanted to get married but I love my family. Jaden's bio mom says that she would love to sign off her rights so I could adopt him and that is what I've always wanted.

Do I have to be married for a year (I have heard rumors) (michigan)

About how much will this cost us (without lawyer)

What forms do i need to file?

I appreciate any info!!!! Thank you so much!

[tdhraf]

I am not familiar with Michigan law but I think that it would be in your best interest to speak with an attorney. Where I live, in Indiana, it is about $75 for a consultation and most attorney's have a $700 retainer fee. You definitely want to use one because to protect your family you want to make sure there are NO loop holes for the biomom to use later. My husband is about ready to sign away his rights to his daughter (that the mother didn't tell him about until she was over 2 and had lived with her step dad since 11 mos). The only advice I have is USE AN ATTORNEY. Also, I can't imagine that there is a timeline for adoption. I have heard of people here in Indiana adopting their partners child (heterosexual). Some people just don't want to get married but want to adopt the others child. I doubt you have to wait a year but speak with an attorney. It will be worth the consultation fee. BELIEVE ME! We have been there and refuse to have any contact except through attorneys. GOOD LUCK!

[rkernagis]

Yes it is a year here in MI-at least that's how long the courts made us wait. You really don't need a lawyer if she consents. Pick up the papers from your local court and file them yourself. You'll save hundreds of dollars. It would have been only $100 for us to file ouselves, but since she was out of state, she agreed to sign the papers and then kept stalling we had to use a lawyer and go to court. It cost over $700.

[Chris26]

I live in Michigan and I have been married for a year. But we got the ok after 6 months. There are papers you can obtain from the Juvenile courts for the adoption and I think the fileing cost is 150/per child. I obtained my paper work from UAW lawyers. GOOD LUCK