Could i adopt my girlfriends children?

Question

the father has them every two weeks and pays child support. he is not behind in child support and comes to pick them up every other weekend. other than that he is not around. i would like to legally adopt them or somehow secure them in my life forever(or atleast until their 18.lol). How would i go about this? do i have to marry her first or can it be done another way? thanks for any help you can give

Answer 1

I don't see why you would want to take their father away from them? It sounds selfish you said he picks them up every other weekend *during his visitation* & that he is not behind on his support? It is going to be VERY hard to prove he is an unfit father. It sounds like he is a great one. Unless he abuses them in some way.

Answer 2

Ask your girlfriend to give a way her children, for you or any one else.

Answer 3

you don't have to marry her first. brad pitt adopted angelina's kids and they aren't married. but it doesn't sound like their dad would be willing to give them up. that's losing his children, and if he's caring for them in all the ways he should, then i'd wait until you're married to the woman. then maybe talk to her about it and see her opinion on it. i think her's and the father's opinion matter the most. otherwise, i don't think it's fair to adopt them just to keep them in your life forever. it sounds like you're saying you want them to still be yours if you and your girlfriend don't last. and that's not a good reason to adopt.

Answer 4

you can't do it. their her kids and the dad. you can't adopt them. unless your married...

Answer 5

why would the father let you adopt his children? you need for him to sign over his parental rights. if you and her break up and by some chance you did adopt the children, you'd be responsible for child support. i think you really need to research this area before you jump in without a clue.

Answer 6

I'm not sure if you have to be married. but, if the father is paying child support....more than likely they have his last name and that would mean that he has parental rights...therefore you will more than likely have to go to court to get him to turn over all parental rights which if he is paying child support he is more than likely not going to be willing to do...good luck though...you should contact a lawyer and ask about this question...

Answer 7

I don't think you can, or should for that matter. I mean, so him and his ex split and had some kids...those are HIS kids and he is the father. If you love their mother, then marry her and become their step-father. But there is no way to make them legally yours, because they already have a dad that loves and cares about them. Your just going to make things harder then they already are. So I would just keep you boundaries, and if you marry their mom...they will be you step children.

=]

Answer 8

your horrible. those are HIS kids... keep it that way.

Answer 9

Yes, you have to marry her first.  Most judges won't even consider allowing the adoption until you've been married a year.  After that, you need the father to sign off on the adoption.  Given that he has a regular relationship with the children, the chances of that is nearly zero.  Enjoy being a stepfather even if you can't adopt.

Answer 10

well it depends can your girlfriend be able to afford the baby

Answer 11

first you say he sees them every two weeks well that is a good thing and he pays support than you might have a hard time proving he is a bad father in the eyes of the court. does he abuse them, or leave them alone. does he treat the mother of the kids real bad . those things they will look into as well as your back ground too. he would have to give up his paternal rights to them and than go to court to do this it takes time. but you want them to feel secure than the only thing right now is to be there for them and tell them that no matter what you love them and will always will.

Answer 12

I think you'd probably have to be married to their mom first, I'm not 100% sure though.

Answer 13

He sounds like a decent dad--why are you so into ownership of these kids?  He is not 'around' other than when it's his time to visit?  Do you want him visiting more?  I don't get it.

If you want more stability in your life, why not marry their mother instead?  They already have a father.

Answer 14

Regardless,the father would need to terminate his rights.

You would only be a stepparent/Guardian.(If you married the children's mother)

You could take him to family court to change custody being he pays support and such,this would be difficult.

Consider the children's emotional feelings before you would do this.