Ok I have a 12 yr old stepson(my husbands son) I have raised him since he was 2. His bio mom lives in Alaska, we are in Florida , she has not had any contact since he was 2, no support,calls,nothing. I would love to legally adopt him, is there a way I can do that by proving she abandoned him? She hates me and just out of spite would never sign over rights. Please help... Thank you

There are certain statutory criteria by which a court can teminate parental rights so as to allow a step-parent adoption. For details, look here.

It is possible.This site can help: Florida Procedures for Stepparent Adoption | eHow.com

But I would definitely retain an attorney to push this through.

THANK YOU