Adoption, plz help?

Question

i have been married to my husband for three years now and we have two daughters together, i have a daughter from a previous relationship and would quite like her to have my husbands name and really be one of the family. can anyone tell me where i start in going through the process of my husband adopting my daughter

Answer 1

Go to the county court where you live.  They are very helpful. They can give you all the paperwork to fill out and will tell you each step of the way, what to do.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Assuming your in the states, visit your local court house or county record keeper. The same place you would go to apply for a birth/death/wedding certificate.

Answer 3

I would call a family lawyer they should help you go in the right direction! GOOD LUCK!

Answer 4

Well, actually SHE is a 'part of your family' in a way your husband is not, because she's your blood.  You and your husband could get divorced tomorrow--family tie cut.

Doesn't your daughter have her OWN father, and HIS family?  Are you going to deny her this, so that it is all easier for you?

By divorcing her father YOU have made her life more complicated.  Why not at least allow her to keep her identity?  She already has to grow up with someone else's father, does she have to wear his name as well?

Think about HER, not yourself.

Answer 5

I agree with Sunny. My friend’s mother changed all her children’s names to her 2nd husbands. Their real father had some issues and wasn’t there for them much. My friend hated her for it. He liked his stepfather but didn’t want his name. I don’t know what your daughter’s relationship is with her REAL father but it should be her choice – not yours.

Answer 6

First the fathers name on the birth certificate has to be removed which means giveing up or stripping of his rights. Then he can adopt easy but if the real father has anything to do with the child and is on the certificate it can be a big problem. We went through it with my step dad and dad.

Answer 7

Alot depends on the laws in your state. You need to find those out. Has her father been in her life consistently? In my state 6 months with out no type of contact are grounds for termination of parental rights.

You can have his parental rights terminated in court and then your husband can adopt her and give her his last name.

How old is your child? She may be old enough in your state to say what she would like to do. If not then you best bet is to  first find out the laws of your state on this matter. Then if you have grounds for termination then go in and have that done.

Answer 8

maybe you can ask a lawyer. Here is a site for free legal advice.

http://www.freeadvice.com/

Answer 9

First you have to get a lawyer, and then possibly go to court to make it official. There is going to be a lot of paper-signing. You will also have to get your ex-husband involved in the process for it to work. Best of luck.

Answer 10

Contact an attorney that specializes in family law. He or she will know all the requirements for your area and your situation.