When I met my ex, she has a 2 yrs old child. While we were married, the child start to think of me as his dad and I've kept that relationship even after our divorce. Now, we are divorced, but the child is with me and my ex and has never seen his biological father. My ex is feeling sick now, and she wants to make sure that if something happens to her, the child doesn't go back to his biological father. Is there a way for me to adopt the child? OR, can my ex mother-in-law adopt the child? I have good relationship with my ex's family, so if the child's grand mother can adopt him legally, then I will take care of him, but on papers it will show her as his legal guardian. Thanks.

ScottGem

For you to adopt the biological father would have to formally relinquish his rights. Also the fact that you are no longer married may hinder things.

What I would recommend is that your ex make out a will. In the will she should name her mother and you as joint guardians for the child. I think that would be better then doing a formal adoption now

s_cianci

Petition the court to adopt the child. You and your ex will have to make every good faith attempt to locate the biological father and document your efforts to the court's satisfaction. He can contest the adoption. If he does, then it'll be that much harder for you or anyone else to adopt the child. If he consents or if you never manage to locate him despite your best efforts, then I'd think you'd get precedence over your ex mother-in-;aw.