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happy27 · Oct 16, 2008, 07:23 AM

I have two children, they have not seen or heard from their birth father in over a year. He is missing in action, has no phone, no address, even his family can not find him.

I am remarried and would like (as well my kids would like) to have my husband adopt them. Can and/or how can I do this? Do I really need the father to sign off rights?

Please help?
We live in Oregon.

stinawords · Oct 16, 2008, 07:27 AM

You will first have to get an adoption lawyer. Then they will advise you on acceptable ways to find the father that the court will deem satisfactory. Because basically, yes you do have to have him sign off otherwise he could come back and have the adoption nullified because he wasn't notified. The judge may rule that the adoption can go through after all the searches are completed. It would be very helpful if you hired a good private investigator. They might be able to locate him.

JudyKayTee · Oct 16, 2008, 07:28 AM

Originally Posted by stinawords

You will first have to get an adoption lawyer. Then they will advise you on acceptable ways to find the father that the court will deem satisfactory. Because basically, yes you do have to have him sign off otherwise he could come back and have the adoption nullified because he wasn't notified. The judge may rule that the adoption can go through after all the searches are completed. It would be very helpful if you hired a good private investigator. They might be able to locate him.

And, of course, if he can't be found the Court will order that he be notified by publication, certain wording, a newspaper with a certain circulation.

happy27 · Oct 16, 2008, 07:39 AM

I was afraid of that, I was hoping I could arrange to do it myself. My current husband has two children so together we have 4. I'm thinking this could become very costly. My kids want it more than anything.. (is what my daughter asked for Christmas) It is so important to them, I'm just not sure we can afford a high price lawyer.

I appreciate you advise.

JudyKayTee · Oct 16, 2008, 07:41 AM

Originally Posted by happy27

I was afraid of that, I was hoping I could arrange to do it myself. My current husband has two children so together we have 4. I'm thinking this could become very costly. My kids want it more than anything.. (is what my daughter asked for Christmas) It is so important to them, I'm just not sure we can afford a high price lawyer.

I appreciate you advise.

No need to get a high priced Attorney - find an Attorney familiar with family law and ask about fees and disbursements. There is no way this could be accomplished before Christmas, if you are considering that.

happy27 · Oct 16, 2008, 07:47 AM

No, just trying to show effort. I would love to reach him and do it the right way.

Again I appreciate your advise

stinawords · Oct 16, 2008, 07:53 AM

As judy said you don't need a high priced lawyer just one that practices family law. They are required for all adoptions. If you wanted to show an effort before Christmas you could either start by hiring the PI or having a couple meetings with the attorney. But that's about all there would be time for in what is remaining of the year.