I am involved in a wonderful lesbian relationship with a woman who loves my children more than life. My children's father is wanting to sign off his paternal rights to due various selfish reasons. I am wondering if my girlfriend can legally adopt my two children. We are from Ohio and not sure exactly how the law reads on this subject. Thank You!!

Your best bet would be to call a family lawyer. You'll need one anyway, but having one from the start would probably be beneficial to you.

The key issue is an easy one and yet the most difficult. Who is the father? Is he noted on the birth certificate? Or did you go to a sperm bank or is the identity unknown. If the children have a biological dad who knows he's the dad and is on the birth certificate he has to legally in a court terminate his legal rights before anyone can adopt. Which simply means, regardless of your state the first step is that the father must terminate his legal parental rights once this is done simultaneously your partner would adopt. Now your in Ohio, talk to a family attorney. Some states adoption shouldn't be an issue as it runs with the child and doesn't connote marriage just parentage. But adoptions have become more regular such as this cross adoption. But the key is, without a known father terminating his rights it is impossible.

Just cause your bio dad says its OK that he will terminate, they don't always go through with it, and some ask for financial gifts, so be wary reason I asked about dad.

Calarts, this thread is THREE YEARS OLD.

I doubt the OP is going to come back to read your comment.

Please watch dates before responding.

This thread is CLOSED>