My wife has 2 children from a previous relationship. I want to adopt them...?

Question

What are the propor channels to do, or whom should I contact? I live in NY. The birth father is a deadbeat and was very bad to my wife & kids prior to me. He has no contact with the children, These 2 are my life, I love them more then myself!!! So I want their last names to be mine, Help

Answer 1

The biological father would have to sign his rights over to you.  Or, I don't know about NY but in Michigan, if the birth father has not seen the children or paid child support for 2 years or more, your wife can petition to have them declared abandoned.  In that case the biological father's rights would be taken from him and you would then have the opportunity to adopt.

Good luck, and I want you to know as a single mother, I think it's absolutely wonderful that you care so much for these children and would want to adopt them.  I hope someday my son can have a man like you in his life.   =)

Answer 2

from what I understand (at least here in Illinois, not sure about NY), as I had a friend who went through this. Here in IL, you can legally adopt someone elses child if the other parent has cut off all contact from the child for 7 years. That means the parent hasnt called or seen there child at all. But yes, definetly get a lawyer. Or since the father is such a dead beat, why dont you see if he'll actually sign his rights over completely.

Answer 3

GOD BLESS YOU!!!!!

Answer 4

Find an attorney that practice family law and go from there.

Answer 5

First I want to say that I wish more men in this world were like you! My step dad did the same thing with my uncles children, who are now my sisters. WOW! I stand up and applaud you! Second, find an attorney that handles family stuff. They will be able to help you out. Best of luck & I have to say... your wife sure is a lucky woman!

Answer 6

OK ,DH SS. can help ,all you do is request to speck to the .person that is is charge of adoptions,

  you may have to prove he a dead beat ,in court ,and

he may not agree with you,. you need to convince the court

of your good intentions , please keep a diary of any ,lack of contact ,what the kids feel about this,and further more ,your history, your wife history come into play here,

  my best friend is head of adoptions here in the state of OKLAHOMA,

Answer 7

first he has to sign off his rights towards the kids then you can go from there if he doesn

't then your in a tough situation

Answer 8

Get a lawyer right away and let them know the situation.