My daughter is 3 and her father has never been there for her, he owes almost $2,000 in support, refuses to contact me, has no interest in her at all, but still will not sign off his rights. My husband wants to adopt her or at least share custody with me. Our family court says they can't take away his rights, he has to sign them over. Can I get him for abandonment if I hire a lawyer and get them taken that way? I'm trying to get him back in court to at least violate him for support but no one will serve him the court papers. The police aren't helping much either. What do I do?

Taking away his "rights" to visit, his "rights" to have a say in the child's life is one issue, taking away all of his rights for adoption is another.
The same court hearing this case, would listen to the toher case also.

As long as the bio father is showing up in court and objecting, it is duobtful that the court will take away his rights.