Adoption Help in Missouri

[tpeters111]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Missouri

Through a mutual friend my wife and I were asked if we were interested in adopting a persons baby that is not born yet (Due 1/28/2009). The mother is a recovering drug abuser and the state has already taken custody of her 3 other children. Apparently when she has this child the state is going to take it into custody also. My question is can we adopt this child even if the state has already filed for custody? Does the adotion have to go through the state? Do adoptions in Missouri have to go through an agency or do you just need a lawyer to file with the courts? Thanks for any input.

 

[seniorjudge]

http://www.moga.mo.gov/STATUTES/C453.HTM

You MUST have a lawyer.

Get one no later than yesterday.

 

[Zigner]

Does the MOTHER of the child agree to you adopting her child?
(This sounds a little like brokering to me...)

 

[tpeters111]

The mother has agreed to this. I have talked to her and she has told me that she wants to concentrate on getting her life together and getting here other children back. She cannot handle another child.

 

[seniorjudge]

The mother has agreed to this. I have talked to her and she has told me that she wants to concentrate on getting her life together and getting here other children back. She cannot handle another child.

Be sure to let your lawyer know all that.

 

[tpeters111]

If the state has already filed custody papers, can the mother still have choose who adopts the baby? We have not involved a lawyer yet since I did not know if this was even possible and did not want to run up a legal bill for something that wasnt even possible.. Sounds like I need to go ahead and get him involved though.

 

[seniorjudge]

If the state has already filed custody papers, can the mother still have choose who adopts the baby? We have not involved a lawyer yet since I did not know if this was even possible and did not want to run up a legal bill for something that wasnt even possible.. Sounds like I need to go ahead and get him involved though.

You need a lawyer (third time).

The state does not file custody papers on unborn children.

 

[tpeters111]

Very interesting. Thanks for the help.

 

[nextwife]

And does dad not wish to raise his child?

 

[tpeters111]

The father is in jail/prison for drug abuse/dealing.