My daughter abandoned her daughter almost 2 years ago. I went for legal custody. I receive Public Assistance for both of us. She has never appeared for child support hearings Father is unknown. I plan on raising her for the rest of my life. I am only 50 years old. Her mother is a terrible drug addict. She has made no contact with us since Xmas 2006. I want to adopt her and don't know what do first. The NJ courts have tried and failed to locate my daughter. I can not afford to pay for an expensive private attorney. What do you suggest I do?

Sincerely Debra McClay

Check with your local courts about the process. It may be, given the courts can't find her, that you can get a petition of adoption through easily. At the least you should be able to (if you haven't already) be declared her legal guardian which is almost as good as being the adoptive parent.

Please do not post personal info like phones numbers here. We are not going to call and its dangerous. I've removed the phone numbers from your note.

My daughter abandoned her daughter almost 2 years ago. I went for legal custody. I receive Public Assistance for both of us. she has never appeared for child support hearings Father is unknown. I plan on raising her for the rest of my life. I am only 50 years old. Her mother is a terrible drug addict. She has made no contact with us since Xmas 2006. I want to adopt her and don't know what do first. The NJ courts have tried and failed to locate my daughter. I can not afford to pay for an expensive private attorney. What do you suggest I do?

Sincerely Debra McClay

In my state, if their has been no contact or support paid for a period of two years, then it is considered abandoment and you can have the parents right terminated. You can get a lawyer, mine cost a flat rate of 2000$ that he allowed me to pay in instalments. If the mother pop's out of her drug indused stupor and decideds to contest it, it will get much more expensive and can drag on. I wish you the best of luck!!