I am a frustrated Mom in Maryland who wants to have the parental rights of my son's father terminated so that I can have his name changed and leave the door open for my son to be adopted by my future husband. My son's father is an un-licensed "contractor" who works under the table and does not file taxes - so filing for child support is a complete waste of my time. In addition, this "man" has a son (aged 22) whom he still owes child support for! My son's father comes in and out of my son's life sporadically and it is causing severe behavior problems for my son in school & at home. This "man" refuses to take care of my son in anyway and although I have tried on NUMEROUS occasions to explain how his lack of involvement is negatively affecting my son, his behavior has not changed. What can I do? I need to do what is best for my son at this point. Please help me! Please be as specific and detailed as you can be. Thank you SO much!

After you're married, you'll need for your husband to file a motion to adopt in Family Court. The father will have to be notified and given the opportunity to either consent to or contest the adoption. If he won't voluntarily consent then it'll be an uphill battle.

Yes you should be really "pushing" the child support on him, make he provide bank records, explain if he is not "working" how he affords his cars, his home and so on. This is how you fight that in court.

He may well be a lot more willing to sign over his rights to adopt, if you are on him hard for money.