View Full Version : Signing over parents rights
talon122303
Mar 8, 2008, 09:28 PM
What do I need to go through to have my children's father sign his rights over its been over a year since we have spoken and I am due to be married and my boyfriend wants to adopted my children I live in the state of Texas if anyone know anything please give me some feed back
Fr_Chuck
Mar 8, 2008, 09:37 PM
Normally most courts and judges want to see you married for about a year before the adoption. So you may want to consider waiting for that. Or at least talk to your local attorney on your local judges requirements
But the attorney will need to write up the paperwork to have your ex sign that will be filed with the adoption paper work.
macksmom
Mar 9, 2008, 05:07 AM
I would start setting up appts. With attorneys (many offer free consultations).
You might as well wait until you're married, because nothing can be done until then. Even so, most states require you to be married a year before your husband would be allowed to adopt.
Is your ex WILLING to relinquish his rights? If so, it's pretty easy. Most attorneys will offer a flat fee rate for a non-contested relinquishment of rights and adoption. (My attorney costs are going to be $550 flat fee plus about $130 in filing fees). Once you hire an attorney (as most stated require you to have one anyway for the adoption), they will take care of everything.
If your ex is not willing to relinquish his rights, you will be in for a fight. Has he paid support in the past year? If he hasn't attempted to make contact AND hasn't paid support in at least a year (keep in mind, one converstation, or one payment clears the slate)... but usually no contact AND no child support for one year will allow you to petition to terminate his rights on the grounds of abandonment and petition to have your husband adopt. It will cost a lot more money though.