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Originally Posted By Michael

I would like to adopt my stepchild. Her bio-father has not had any contact with us in over a year and we have no whereabouts where he may be and do not want any. Am i able to do this without his consent?

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Originally Posted By Marie

Not likely. You will have to try to find him and get his consent. If that isn't possible, then you'll have to publish a notice in the newspaper at least.

[Archive]

Originally Posted By looking for GA info

I'm still researching. If we could find my children's father (possily in Florida, who knows?), I don't know if he would consent to their adoption by my husband. An attorney told me that my ex would be relieved of his future child support responsibilities, but not the child support arrears he has accumulated over the years. From what I can tell according to Georgia statutes 19-8-4(b) "A child 14 years or older must consent in the presence of the court." and "When Parental Consent is not needed" the answer is statute number "19-8-10: The child has been abandoned and parent cannot be found. Parent is insane or otherwise incapacitated. Parent has failed to contact or support the child." An attorney told me that abandonment in Georgia is defined as no less than two years since the last time the delinquent parent has been in contact with the children or not paid child support. Also, it appears that Georgia stepparent adoption has a waiting period of six months after the marriage. Maybe this info will help you at least get started.

[Archive]

Originally Posted By Bruce Brown

Today I just completed a step-parent adoption of my step-son. The court heard our two petitions, each which has to be filed separately with a separate filing fee. The first petition you file is a Petition to Terminate Parental Rights on the basis of Abandonment. In that document you describe the contact and non-contact the biological father has had with the children. You pay one filing fee for that one. The biological father is served a summons to appear at the hearing. If you don't know where he is you can ask to publish the notice in the newspaper and run it for three weeks. Then, at the same time, you and your husband file an adoption petition and pay another filing fee. Included in this adoption petition is an approval by you the mother for the adoption and a request by your husband to adopt. The adoption petition is pretty simple. The approval of the actual biological father is not needed when you prepare this form because you are filing this form assuming you'll win the first termination petition. (If you don't win the termination case, you're not going to get the adoption through.) Try to get the hearings scheduled back to back if the clerk will let you. Adoption clerks usually understand the need and desire for this. If the two motions are scheduled for the same day and if you loose the termination case, then the adoption case doesn't get heard. If you win the termination petition then the case moves on to the adoption part (They really seem to be all part of one hearing when you're there.) The whole process in court lasted us about 20 minutes, it was in private in the judges chambers, the biological father didn't show, so it was easy and a pleasant experience. I have the forms and I can get them to you if you desire. I used to practice law in California; but haven't since 1992, but the judge still complemented me on the filings, so I would hope they would work for you.

bbrown@cp-its.com

[JacqueLynn]

I am new to this message board and I am trying to find out about step-child adoption. The b/m has not physically seen the children in over 3 years. She has never paid child support. It was not in the divorce for her to pay. She calls once maybe twice a year. The girls call me mama and I am mama in every sense of the word. The few times they think she may call is very upsetting for them. How do I find out about adopting the girls? I am not sure if she would voluntarily give up her parental rights. Thank you. I will appreciate any help.

[salenaleslie]

[I was wondering how you went about adopting you stepson. I have a step son that his biological mother has not been in contact with us at all and I wanted to know how you went about doing the step parent adoption.