adoptint step-children

What is the name of your state? Virginia


My wife and I have been married for 6 years. I have 2 step children that are 9. 1 boy and 1 girl. For the past 6 years I have taken care of them as far as medical insurance and things they need. Her X husband is court ordered to pay child support but doesnt. He wont get a job so he wont have to pay, If he does get one he doesnt work long. What rights do I have as a parent if any? Both children have begged me to adopt them but I dont really know what to do about the whole situation.

[Seanscott]

I am nearing the end of a stepparent adoption myself, so I can give you a little guidance.

If the biodad has not visited the children and has not paid support for a certain time (in Indiana it's one year), you can ask that his parental rights be terminated.

The rights must be terminated before any adoption can take place. He can do this voluntarily or you can ask the court to do it. Either way, the court has to approve the termination.

You can file a petition to adopt and that will start the ball rolling toward termination.

Since the children are not babies, the judge will listen to what the kids have to say.

As a stepparent who provides for them, unfortunately, you do not have very many rights. If their mom should somehow be unavailable for major medical or legal decisions, the biodad might be asked to decide.

It sucks and goes against common sense, but that's the way it is.

Hope you get what you want. Good luck.

I suggest you go to google.com and type in (without quotations)

stepparent adoption termination parental rights Virginia