I've been with my husband for nearly 5 years and been married 3 weeks we have been trying to get my ex to give consent to him adopting my youngest son I know that my husband can adopt my eldest as my ex has no parental consent (born before dec 2003). I know he has to give consent in adopting my youngest son but is there any other way round it he was violent and abusive to me and my children and also has a heavy drug problem the problem is proving this! But he has had nothing to do with the boys since they were born it was me who did everything for them. I get an email once in a blue moon to ask can he see them but never responds to my emails he does pay child support but only £5 per week which I have tried to stop as it does nothing please can you give me some advice on what's the best to do..

First, I moved this from the Adoption forum since it's a legal question. The Adoption forum is about the personal issues that arise from adoptions, not legal ones.

Second, ANY question on law needs to include your general locale as laws vary by area. For example, many area require the marriage be at least a year before allowing a step-parent adoption. I'm also wondering where you get that the ex has no parental consent because the child was born before 12/03.

It is possible, but not probable that a court will grant an involuntary TPR given the history of abuse, drugs and neglect especially since you have someone willing to adopt. But an attempt will have to be made to get permission first.