What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? MI
i have been the only father my 10 year old step son has ever known. i never legally adopted him but have been his dad for over 9 years. now that his mother and i are getting divorced, we both think that it is now more important than ever for me to legally adopt him. it would definitely be in his best interests because he thinks of me as his dad in every way. but my attorney says that even though his mother and i agree to it, the court still won't let it happen. why not, if it's beneficial to the child and the parent agrees? i don't see the danger in it. only bad will come of this when my (step) son grows up not having a legal father. could someone please explain what the courts reasoning would be behind not letting me adopt? all i get from my attorney is "they just won't do it after a separation." this really upsets me and his mother. i feel like just because it didn't work out between his mother and i that he's getting cheated out of a father in some way and i, a son.
i have been the only father my 10 year old step son has ever known. i never legally adopted him but have been his dad for over 9 years. now that his mother and i are getting divorced, we both think that it is now more important than ever for me to legally adopt him. it would definitely be in his best interests because he thinks of me as his dad in every way. but my attorney says that even though his mother and i agree to it, the court still won't let it happen. why not, if it's beneficial to the child and the parent agrees? i don't see the danger in it. only bad will come of this when my (step) son grows up not having a legal father. could someone please explain what the courts reasoning would be behind not letting me adopt? all i get from my attorney is "they just won't do it after a separation." this really upsets me and his mother. i feel like just because it didn't work out between his mother and i that he's getting cheated out of a father in some way and i, a son.