[brooke-1tyler]

I have three children. The first one is from my first husband and my youngest son is from a relationship. My first husband does not pay support nor does he bother or want to part of my daughters lives. They are ages 15 and 17. My husband of two years wants nothing more to take sole responsibility of them what actions do I take and because of my ex husbands absence does he still have rights because of my daughters ages. They also want to be adopted do they have that say so.

[macksmom]

So I know you said the father of the first marriage doesn't pay support or want anything to do with your daughter... what about the sons father?

The easy way to go about it is to ask the fathers to sign over their parental rights in order for you husband to adopt them. Let them know they would not be responsible for child support. If you can get them to agree to sign over rights, that of course is the easiest way to go.

If you don't think they will sign over rights you will need to petition to have their rights terminated. If it has been a long period that the fathers have not seen the children AND have not paid support you could file your reasoning for the termination of rights as abandonment. Then the judge would have to decide if it is in the best interest of the children to terminate the rights of their biological fathers and allow your husband to adopt them. At the children's age a judge should allow them to speak in court, and take their interests into consideration in the ruling.

Keep in mind, if they biological fathers fight this, you are in for an uphill battle.

Good luck :)

[Fr_Chuck]

If the bio fathers will just sign over their rights and sign to allow the adoption it will be easy, if not, it will be a hard court battle.