My wife and I got married about a month ago. My wife has a 13 yr old daughter from a previous relationship. Her biological father hasn't had hardly any contact with her for most of her life. He is in and out of jail constantly, barely pays child support ever. When he does its never the full amount he is supposed to. He also has an extensive criminal record. My step-daughter wants nothing to do with him, and frankly she is afraid of him.
I have been more of a father in the last few years than he has ever been or will be, and I would love to adopt her. Because if something would happen to my wife at this present time he would have custody of her, and there isn't anything I could do about it. How do I go about this? What is the best plan of action? Please help?

My father is the sort of the same way but a little better. But when my mother boyfriend into my life he always considered to be the best. He is there for me and cares and takes care of me if you feel in your heart that you love this little girl and her mother and are ready to take up the responsibilities of being a dad than do it. You will be giving her the oppurtunity of her life and showing what men can do and be for her in her life.

Talk to a lawyer.

You will have to have the bio-dad's parental rights severed first, or get him to voluntarily relinquish them. Then you will have to file the adoption papers with the courts.

Each state has different guidelines as to what you can do to get a biological parent to relinquish, which is why I strongly suggest using a lawyer for this.