In home inspection

My husband who I've been with for 7 1/2 years, married to for 5 years would like to adopt my son. We live in Washington state and I heard that we would have to pay for a social worker to inspect and visit our home as well as the biological dads home. Is that True? Biological dad is not involved in the childs life at all since Aug. of 94. The child is 9 years old now. Biological dad has agreed to this adoption and has signed some paperwork a couple of years ago but we did not have the money to go through with the adoption back then. Would I have to contact biological dad and have him sign current paperwork to do the adoption now or could I use the old paperwork? Thank you

[MySonsMom]

As far as the inspection..I think there is a way that your attorney can bypass that step since the child has been living with you. What are you talking about "updating" the paperwork? If the bio dad signed the papers a long time ago, then yes; he has to sign the appropriate ones that will go through the courts.

[LegalBeagle]

You need new papers. A judge may throw out the old ones because of the age. Do you have an attorney helping you with this ?

No I don't have an attorney helping us. The old papers were signed in 1998.

[MySonsMom]

New papers need to be signed and dated. I highly suggest you get an attorney to help you with this, with an uncontested adoption/termination of parental rights it is fairly inexpensive and quick. Having an attorney will asure that everything is done properly and handled accordingly. It will be in your best interest to have an attorney help.

Good luck!!