Step Parent Adoption

[Mother_Of_2]

What is the name of your state? PA

Backround: I got divorced about 5 years ago and remarried about 2 years ago. My husband wants to adopt my 2 children from my previous marriage. My ex is in the military and lives overseas. He has currently remarried and I think has had another child and doesn't have any contact with my children. I think that he would agree to signing away his rights so that he won't have to pay child support anymore, but I haven't approached him as of yet.

Here are my questions
1. Is it going to be a problem since he is in the military and lives overseas?
2. When my husband and I hire an attorney, will they (the attorney) notify my ex or should I talk to him about it first?
3. After the adoption process, will my children's names be changed automatically or is this another process I will have to go through?
4. Will thier birth certificates stay the same or will the name also be changed on that?

Thank you for your help.

[tigger22472]

Originally Posted by Mother_Of_2

Here are my questions
1. Is it going to be a problem since he is in the military and lives overseas?

Maybe, maybe not. A lot can maybe depend on the judge and/or if he's deployed to the war. If the latter is the case then it will not happen until he's home. If he's not deployed you may find the judge reluctant to terminate his rights if he contests.

2. When my husband and I hire an attorney, will they (the attorney) notify my ex or should I talk to him about it first?

The attorney would do so. It's up to you how you handle it. If you want to discuss it with him and see if he agrees then that's fine. In fact, if he agrees it may save you time and possibly money for the serving of the papers. On the other hand, the letter from the attorney will be a form and sometimes this is best. When you contact him there's very little chance of not showing some sort of emotion. Depending on how he feels about you he may say no and fight it anyway he can simply because he knows it's something you want.

3. After the adoption process, will my children's names be changed automatically or is this another process I will have to go through?

It is automatic but you need to contact vital records to ensure the court properly notifies them so that the birth certificates can be changed.


4. Will thier birth certificates stay the same or will the name also be changed on that?

See above answer

Thank you for your help.

You're Welcome

[Mother_Of_2]

He is not deployed to war. He is stationed in Germany. Will that still cause the case to be rejected or delayed?

Also, while going through some of the other postings, I saw that some of them state about being "newly" married.
What is the timeframe to be considered newly married?
Why would being newly married matter?
How long should you be married before trying to go for adoption?

Thanks again.

[tigger22472]

Most states require that you are married for one year. The idea is to make sure or attempt to make sure it's a stable relationship before the child is adopted.

[Mother_Of_2]

He is not deployed to war. He is stationed in Germany. Will that still cause the case to be rejected or delayed?

Thanks again.

[Mother_Of_2]

He is not deployed to war. He is stationed in Germany. Will that still cause the case to be rejected or delayed?

Thanks again.

[Silverplum]

Originally Posted by Mother_Of_2

He is not deployed to war. He is stationed in Germany. Will that still cause the case to be rejected or delayed?

Thanks again.

Apparently, no one knows the absolute answer. You'll need to try elsewhere or call an attorney or whatever.