Adoption Questions

[aprinzess]

What is the name of your state? KS

Can anyone answer a few questions I have about adoption? I am new to this system here so I am not sure I am even doing this correctly. Anyway my daughter is five and my husband, her step-father, wants to adopt her. I just don't know where to begin. My daughter has an unknown biological father so there is no one to contest the adoption and I would think that would make it easier. Do I have to go to court or is there some way I can do all of this out of the court system? I don't mind going to court but I know hiring an attorney could be very costly and I find that sad. Because for me, I feel that there is a wonderful man that loves my daughter like she is his own and we can't just make a simple change of the birth certificate and last name. Instead we have to jump through hoops, pay an unknown amount of money, and then get permission finally. Can anyone help me out?

[Zephyr]

bio dad is just not on the birth certificate or totally unknown to you? That might make a difference.

[aprinzess]

Okay not sure if I am doing this responding correctly but Zephyr the bio dad is not known to me. Her birth certificate has my x-husbands name on it however when we got divorced a few years ago the court papers state that the x is not the biological father. Does that make sense?

[seniorjudge]

Originally Posted by aprinzess

Okay not sure if I am doing this responding correctly but Zephyr the bio dad is not known to me. Her birth certificate has my x-husbands name on it however when we got divorced a few years ago the court papers state that the x is not the biological father. Does that make sense?

You will have to serve ex-husband in the lawsuit as well as unknown part(y)(ies). A lawyer will be represented to represent the kid; another lawyer or two will be appointed to represent the unknown putative dads.

Your lawyer will explain to you how this works.

[aprinzess]

Thanks Senior Judge. There is a great deal more involved than what I thought there would be. I guess we better start looking for a lawyer. Thanks again!