In Arkansas do my boyfriend and I have to be married for at least 1 year before he can adopt my daughter

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Originally Posted by rose408

in arkansas do my boyfriend and i have to be married for at least 1 year before he can adopt my daughter

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Interesting law - I'm reading that a single person, for example, your boyfriend, could adopt the child if both you and the birth father sign your consent for him to adopt and relinquish your rights to the child. This means your boyfriend would be the legal father and you would not be the legal mother.

If you and the birth father both don't sign a consent then you have to be married for two years.

I'm guessing you don't want to give your child up for adoption.

If you marry will the father sign his consent?

It is a hard process, and marriage makes it work easier in court, is there a reason you don't want to be married ?

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Originally Posted by Fr_Chuck

it is a hard process, and marriage makes it work easier in court, is there a reason you don't want to be married ?

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And it comes down to - and I've heard it with my own ears - if a couple isn't committed to each other why should the Court believe the non-birth parent is committed to the child?

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Originally Posted by JudyKayTee

And it comes down to - and I've heard it with my own ears - if a couple isn't committed to each other why should the Court believe the non-birth parent is committed to the child?

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Or phrased differently--why should the court allow you to legally link your CHILD to someone you are not willing to legally link YOURSELF to?