That's great, deefran! Congratulations!!! Your news is very encouraging!
My husband is in the process of trying to adopt my son from a previous marriage. Bio-dad told our son twice that he would sign the consent form if that was what he really wanted but we have yet to see anything signed and notarized from him! Son had to be the one to call bio-dad both times to get a "feel" for if he would sign the consent as he wouldn't discuss it with me and wanted to "hear it from the horse's mouth." Son has wanted my husband (whom he has always called Dad) to adopt him for over four years now but we wanted to wait till he was old enough to understand what it all meant and give bio-dad a chance to become part of son's life.
He's 11 now and understands the diff between a name change and an adoption. He had to sign papers expressing his desire for the adoption along with the rest of us as he is over the age of 10 and it's required that he do so in our state. Bio-dad hasn't even tried to see or contact son in over six years. My ex-MIL ( whom I am still very close to) and I did everything we could to set up times for son and bio-dad to get together for visits, etc. and encourage a father/son relationship between them, but bio-dad was not interested. Bio-dad's Aunt pays his CS because he refused to and she wanted to help take care of our son but her name is on every CS check, not his!
Got a letter from our lawyer today with copies of everything that was sent to the bio-dad (another consent form, a summons, stepfather petition for adoption, a trial/hearing setting sheet, and a pre-addressed, stamped envelope in the event he does finally decide to sign the consent form). He has 30 days from the day he is served with the petition to file a pleading (I think that's what it's called?!) or an adoption by default will be taken against his interest as his consent is not required "pursuant to A.C.A. 9-9-207 (a)(2) because he, for a period of at least one year, has failed significantly without justifiable causes to communicate with the child or provide the care and support of the child as required by law or judicial decree."
Hearing is set for Dec. 12th. We have a feeling (as does bio-dad's mom, Aunt, and brothers) that bio-dad won't even respond to the petition much less show up for the hearing. We live in AR and he lives in LA. Altho he comes back to AR at least once a year to see his mom, he has never even asked to see our son or even called him while he was in state.
Hopefully, everything will be finalized and over soon and son can start new year with his new last name! Wish us luck! Hope bio-dad comes to his senses and decides to just go ahead and sign consent form like yours did, deefran!
Thanks to you both, Grandma B and deefran! I will keep you up to date on the haps with this adoption!