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Jday6434 · Jul 4, 2012, 01:21 PM

My ex and I were never married, my husband and I have been married 8 years and he has been in my daughters life as dad since she was 5 months. The bio dad does pay court ordered support and sees her on summer visits. I want him to voluntarily sign over his rights, he lives in one state and I live in another which state do I need the papers from?

Fr_Chuck · Jul 4, 2012, 01:30 PM

The papers to allow the adoption by your husband will be included in the adoption package, Your attorney will contact the ex and get it all signed.

There are not "separate" forms, it is all part of the adoption.

Jday6434 · Jul 4, 2012, 01:36 PM

I don't have a lawyer I just wanted him to sign over his rights when I get my daughter back next month for school, I printed out a Wisconsin form that is for consent to termination of Praental rights. But I reside in Pennsylvania..

ScottGem · Jul 4, 2012, 02:11 PM

Originally Posted by Jday6434

i dont have a lawyer i just wanted him to sign over his rights when i get my daughter back next month for school, i printed out a wisconsin form that is for consent to termination of Praental rights. but i reside in pennsylvania..

Whatever makes you think that he can sign over his rights? There is this myth that a parent can just sign a paper giving up his rights. But it is only a myth. Even if he signs a consent form, it has no force of law. ONLY a court can terminate parental rights. And courts are VERY reluctant to do so.

The only way you will get a court to terminate his rights is as part of an adoption proceeding. If you file a petition for adoption the petition will include the father's consent. Only then will a court agree to terminate.

Since I do not recommend trying to process an adoption, even a step parent adoption without an attorney, then what you should be doing is finding a local attorney to prepare the petition for you. You would file in PA.

Jday6434 · Jul 4, 2012, 02:43 PM

Originally Posted by ScottGem

Whatever makes you think that he can sign over his rights? There is this myth that a parent can just sign a paper giving up his rights. But it is only a myth. Even if he signs a consent form, it has no force of law. ONLY a court can terminate parental rights. And courts are VERY reluctant to do so.

The only way you will get a court to terminate his rights is as part of an adoption proceeding. If you file a petition for adoption the petition will include the father's consent. Only then will a court agree to terminate.

Since I do not recommend trying to process an adoption, even a step parent adoption without an attorney, then what you should be doing is finding a local attorney to prepare the petition for you. You would file in PA.

Ok, thank you Im deff going to get a lawyer then..