[John Oates]

I have a 6 year old stepson, his father was deported when he was 2 1/2, I have been his father ever since but because through other family relations his father's name gets mentioned form time to time, he never calls or sends him anything. My wife and his father were never married but he is on the birth certificate. He calls me Dad, I would like to adopt him. What are my choices? We are married so no problems there. He has been with me since the age of 2.
Thank you for any help

[Synnen]

Because this is going to involve international law, you need to consult a lawyer. Depending on the reasons for deportation, the country the father is from, and other factors, it may be far more complicated to either get the father's permission or serve notification to him via publication (if his whereabouts are unknown).

I wouldn't go into an adoption without a lawyer in any case, but in your case I would particularly do so. A step parent adoption is not usually very expensive unless the biological parent objects, and it doesn't sound like that will be the case here.

[John Oates]

Does his side of the family have any saying at all, he may not have an objection but his family might, they themselves don't even know where he might be but they might still object. And Thank you for the quick answer

[Synnen]

It depends on a lot of things--how involved they are now, and whether your state has grandparents' rights for example.

I'm sorry to be so vague, but adoption law varies not only by state, but sometimes by areas within a state. And what one judge would award is not always the same that another judge would.

If the biological father is willing to relinquish rights for an adoption, it would be much harder for his family to make a case to stop the adoption, unless they are very involved with the child now.

I hate to say it again, but you really do need an attorney to let you know what the laws are in your area and what the prevailing attitude of judges is.

Good luck to you!