What is the name of your state? MN
Okey-dokey.... I have a 3yr old daughter. Her bio-father has not seen her in over a year and he is about 6k behind in child-support (I've only received 2 payments, and then the payments stopped) The county has been trying to locate him for the past 12 to 13 months and only successfully found him once through an employer. Well, he no longer works at that place, apparently, and the county cannot find him again!
I'm getting married this coming October and my fiance would like to adopt my daughter as his own after we get married. I have searched and searched and cannot find information as to how long the parent and step-parent have to be married before the step-parent can adopt the child. I've heard that in some states it ranges anywhere from 6months to 2 or 3 years! ok, ok, now for the actual questions:
1. How long do the parent and step-parent have to be married to be able to start the adoption process in Minnesota?
2. I found information under which a bio-parents rights can be 'terminated'... under what grounds is 'abandonment' determined in MN?
3. I am aware that I, and/or the county, must try to contact the bio-father to give notice and/or receive consent for the adoption. What if the county cannot find him (via employers, last known addresses, etc.) to receive or give any information? Is there a certain time period to where the effort in finding him can stop?
4. I am having a hard time finding information on these topics that are specific to MN, can anyone point me in the right direction? Would it be worth-while to contact an attorney about these questions? Does it cost money to just get advice? Would my county be able to provide me with answers?
Thanks for any information, Rach22
Okey-dokey.... I have a 3yr old daughter. Her bio-father has not seen her in over a year and he is about 6k behind in child-support (I've only received 2 payments, and then the payments stopped) The county has been trying to locate him for the past 12 to 13 months and only successfully found him once through an employer. Well, he no longer works at that place, apparently, and the county cannot find him again!
I'm getting married this coming October and my fiance would like to adopt my daughter as his own after we get married. I have searched and searched and cannot find information as to how long the parent and step-parent have to be married before the step-parent can adopt the child. I've heard that in some states it ranges anywhere from 6months to 2 or 3 years! ok, ok, now for the actual questions:
1. How long do the parent and step-parent have to be married to be able to start the adoption process in Minnesota?
2. I found information under which a bio-parents rights can be 'terminated'... under what grounds is 'abandonment' determined in MN?
3. I am aware that I, and/or the county, must try to contact the bio-father to give notice and/or receive consent for the adoption. What if the county cannot find him (via employers, last known addresses, etc.) to receive or give any information? Is there a certain time period to where the effort in finding him can stop?
4. I am having a hard time finding information on these topics that are specific to MN, can anyone point me in the right direction? Would it be worth-while to contact an attorney about these questions? Does it cost money to just get advice? Would my county be able to provide me with answers?
Thanks for any information, Rach22