stepparent adoption

What is the name of your state? ohio
I am the stepparent of a set of 3 year old twins. I have raised them since they were 6 months old. The biological mother has visitation but rarely follows the court order. They only support from her is when the goverment took income tax return. It has now been 5 months since last visit and that was only 3 days. I want to adopt them as my legal children. Is this possible without her consent? The children consider me there mother and refer to the biological mother by her given name. Also, I have been a stay at home mother with them since getting them.

[Seanscott]

It is possible to adopt them without her consent. There are several reasons that a parent's rights are terminated by the court. The reasons vary from state to state, but almost all of them recognize abandonment as a primary cause. Other reasons include extensive drug or alcohol abuse, incarceration for a felony,
or violence or threats against the family, and lack of interest.

If a parent has not visited or paid support over an extended period (in Indiana it's one year), then you can file a petition to adopt due to abondment.

I am not a lawyer, but am going through a similar situation.

One thing you must keep in mind - The court will do whatever is in the best interest of the child.

A contested adoption is a lengthy process. The longer the girls are in your care, the harder it will be for the biomom to demand her "rights". She will have to explain to the judge why she has shown so little interest in the children, and why she should not have her rights terminated.

You are in for a long battle, but a winnable one. Be prepared to wait over a year for the end of it. It will be worth it.

"The court will do whatever is in the best interest of the child". It's obvious where those interests lie.

Wishing you all the best. Seanscott