How can I search on Adoption state law in my state?
ByI been researching online for state law in my state for adoption. The ones showing up for adoption from other people. But I am trying to search on is my boyfriend (engaged to get married) want to adopt my three children. Their dad are deadbeat dad. I am looking something that i can find out the process how long would we need to be together before he allowed to adopt them. Or anything else. How do I search something like that.
Thanks
I live in state of ohio.
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2 Comments
April 7th, 2010 at 10:01 am
you will need to be married for a year or two to him before he can adopt your children. Your best bet is to find a lawyer that deals in family law and offers a free consultation.
April 7th, 2010 at 10:06 am
If you type “step-parent adoption, Ohio” into ‘Google’ or another search engine you may find what you are looking for.
Here are a few things to think about that are true in every (or nearly every) state.
1) You need to be *married* for a period of time before your then-husband would be able to adopt. It is not enough to just “be together” — he must be married to you. Usually, you must be married for at least a year. In many states, it’s three year and in a few it’s five or even longer.
2) You must gain consent from the father(s) of your children before another man can adopt them. You must make a good-faith effort to contact him/them before any court would even consider terminating his/their rights. There are exceptions if he is a convicted felon (but only of certain crimes/types of crimes) or if he has a history or abuse, neglect or has lost rights to other children.
3) Your soon-to-be husband needs to agree (in court) that he will assume all parental and financial obligations for the children and that he understands that he will have to pay child support if you are ever divorced.
Beyond that, the rules are very state-specific. Perhaps you will have better luck if you add “step-parent” to your search, as I mentioned above.
Take care!