[teddybear322]

My children's biological father has been out of contact for the past 9 months. We have no phone #, no address, haven't heard or seen from him and he is over $17000.00 behind in child support. Has basically just abandoned my children. Which this is totally fine by me!

We went to court last year to revise visitation and this has been the last contact we have had with him. Does anyone know how long we have to wait before my husband can adopt, what the process is and how much it cost? We are in Texas, if this may help. We also want to have their last names changed to ours. We have heard that we have to wait one year before we can start the process. Anyway.. any help will greatly be appreciated!

[Fr_Chuck]

Sorry for your troubles, not finding him will be the most costly way of this.
The court will have specific ways you are required to search for him

If still not found, you will have to do service by publication, costs for that vary greatly by area but some areas just the publication can be in the couple thousand dollars.

You will have to have an attorney for this.

[ScottGem]

You need an attorney to shepherd your way through the adoption process. The attorney will advise you how and when to deal with his abandonment.

[teddybear322]

Thank you!
We have one and of course I have half of an arm and leg left after the court ordeal. Needless to say, I guess I can give him what I have left to get rid of this deadbeat for good! I was just looking for an idea on a basic idea of what the process may be.

Thanks so much!

[Fr_Chuck]

Good luck, I was almost at 6000 dollars last year in my divorce and we never even had a court appearance. So get the check book out and go for it

[teddybear322]

LOL.. Oh I know about that all too well! We spent about 8 thousand last year just trying to revise visitation. Totally ridiculous!
Thanks for the good luck wishes!