Adopting girlfriends child
Ive read the forums but cannot find specific info on this.
Our situation: my girlfriend and I have been together for 2 years. We have a baby girl together. She came into the relationship with an 11 month old son whom I love dearly and have raised as my own and fully intend to continue to for ever. She has been separated from her abusive husband and baby-daddy for the duration of our relationship. She has received no support for our boy and had no contact with the bio-pop.
A divorce is now imminent.
I understand that a relinquishment of parental rights do not terminate child support requirements unless adoption by a step parent is in the works.
I would very much like to adopt my son, we couldn't care less about support and we just want to have our family and go about our lives. The catch: we don't want to get married just for the sake of adoption. We will eventually marry, but she is very concerned about her ex ever being in our son's life. She is severely traumatized from her relationship and is petrified that he might be back in her life.
SO...
1) do we have to be married in order for me to adopt/him to terminate?
2) would the best person to speak to be her divorce attorney?
And 3) (asking for her) if he is granted visitation and chooses to use it, if she failed to show up with our son, she could be found in contempt, correct? Now - does this actually happen? How much trouble could she potentially get in, and reasonably how much would she?
Granted, its very unlikely that she will ever see a dime of support nor would he travel the thousand miles to take his visitation, but she is terrified all the same.
And I just want my son to be my son.
Thanks!
Steve