Step-Parent Adoptioon

What is the name of your state? California

My daughter age 17 would like my husband to adopt her. Her Bio-dad has not paid child support for 12 years, contact with her has been none for past 4 years. Probation officer, that we had to see to see if Husband was fit to adopt daughter, says we need to term bio-dad's parental rights, All paper work in order except this one huge piece. How can we do this on our own without an attorney? She will be 18 in 2 months should we wait? Will we need to term his rights after she is 18? This is something that daughter is asking my husband to do.

jeffbam said:

What is the name of your state? California

My daughter age 17 would like my husband to adopt her. Her Bio-dad has not paid child support for 12 years, contact with her has been none for past 4 years. Probation officer, that we had to see to see if Husband was fit to adopt daughter, says we need to term bio-dad's parental rights, All paper work in order except this one huge piece. How can we do this on our own without an attorney? She will be 18 in 2 months should we wait? Will we need to term his rights after she is 18? This is something that daughter is asking my husband to do.

Click to expand...

My response:

Why are you doing this the hard way? Since she's going to be an adult in 2 months, all she needs to do at that time is file her Petition for "Name Change." The name change will take about 2-4 months, and voila - - she'll bear his name. Then, your husband needs to name her in his Will (as you should also), and she will then be entitled to take from his Estate.

Simple, easy, quick and very, very inexpensive.

IAAL