[TheFishKing]

Hello. I am engaged to a woman who has a child. She and I are wanting to get me to have parental rights by adoption once we are married. Our daughter is a cute 2 year old girl. The birthfather hasn't paid child support and doesn't want anything to do with the child, but he is fighting this every step of the was simply because I am Mormon. I am living in Utah. I would like any advice that can be offered.

-TFK

[indianaadoption]

Originally Posted by TheFishKing

Hello. I am engaged to a woman who has a child. She and I are wanting to get me to have parental rights by adoption once we are married. Our daughter is a cute 2 year old girl. The birthfather hasn't paid child support and doesn't want anything to do with the child, but he is fighting this every step of the was simply because I am Mormon. I am living in Utah. I would like any advice that can be offered.

-TFK

Talk to an attorney. I live in indiana. In this state, you have 4 reasons in which consent from the bio-father is not required. BUT, he has to be notified, and can contest. 1. not paying child support for 1 year preceding filing.
2. Not having meaningfil contact when able to do so for 1 year.
3. Not having any contact, visitation, phone calls, letters for 6 months preceding the filing.
4. Father being a danger, or not in the best interst of the child to be around, i.e jail history.

Keep in mind you only need one of those reasons. Check Child Adoption Laws they list the laws for each state. The list is a long one and may take awhile to go thru, but should give you alot of info. Hope it helps!!

Oh, by the way, I believe at least in Indiana, you need to be married for at least 1 year before you can try.