tlite40
May 20, 2013, 09:38 AM
Me and my wife have been married for 13yrs together 16... and we were going through a little ordeal and she got pregnant... and had a little girl... my qeastion is do she have to contact the father for me two adopt her.. he pays childsupport but that's it I have been the only father she has ever known since she was born.. he has only seen her once for about two hrs... and its time for us to move on .she already has my last name... please give me some info on how to go about clearing this up.. she is now 2half yrs old... Thanks
ScottGem
May 20, 2013, 09:54 AM
First, its not a good idea to piggyback your question on another thread. To avoid confusion I've moved your question to its own thread. Also any question on law needs to include your general locale as laws vary by area.
However, in most of the US, if you were married at the time she gave birth, then you would be considered the legal father. Unless this other person was listed on the birth certificate AND acknowledged paternity, you would be the legal father and there would be no reason to adopt.
You say he's paying child support. Was this by court order? If so, then he may have been declared the legal father.
If he is the legal father then he will have to agree to the adoption. But, I would guess he would agree since it would end his support obligation.
In any case, the way you go about cleaning this up is to retain an attorney to let you know what you need to do and to prepare whatever paperwork is necessary.