I am the mother of an 8-year-old living in Florida. My son's biological father has made no attempts to contact me or my son for the past 6 years. The father's name is on the birth certificate, and there is no order for child support. I am currently engaged to be married and my fiancé wants to adopt my son. For now I live with my parents, who care for my son while I work. I am also concerned as to what would happen to my son if something should happen to me that would prevent me from caring for him.

I have read almost every where on the web that in the Court's eyes, my son should go with his father. I am trying to find a way to terminate his parental rights. I also read a few of the other posts in here, but I am still confused. I need to know a few things first though. Is not seeing the father for 6 years considered abandonment? Is there a way ton INVOLUNTARILY terminate his rights? How else could I ensure that my son goes with his grandparents should anything happen to me?

The law is a mighty and confusing thing... :confused:

IN your case I THINK you could appoint your parents guardians if anything were to happen to you but I don't know that that would prevent him getting them IF he wanted them. BUT it should be some security for them if he doesn't try to get them.

You can't will children, as they are not property. You can have your wishes be known. In our case, if both my hubby and I were to die, we want my brother to take our kids. But anyone who has a blood relation can contest it. And it could turn into a custody battle.

After you have gotten married, about a year after, you and hubby need to petition the court for the adoption. You will have to notify Dad. If you don't know where he is, you may have to run an ad in the local papers of his last known whereabouts.

And yes, 6 years no contact would in most cases be considered abandonment. However, courts are not likely to terminate his parental rights, unless they can assign them to someone else. The Courts like to make sure that a child has 2 parents to provide for them.

This is also something that you would need an attorney for.