Adopting Filipino Stepchild

[Hypnos 6,576]

An American court isn't going to unilaterally allow a child to be adopted without either (i) the father voluntarily relinquishing his rights, or (ii) the judge decides that the father's rights should be involuntarily terminated in the best interests of the child. There may not be any legal paternity established, or a father named on the birth certificate, but he still exists, somewhere.

[Sahs 10]

For sure this is something up update as I move forward. I was looking for information on it, but had no joy in doing so. Any additional information would be appreciated. Time to contact an Adoption Lawyer here in Louisiana.

[Hank_ 9,174]

yes it is.

Hope all goes smoothly...

[J_d_Petitioner 17]

The laws regarding step-parent adoption vary from state to state. I actually have a final hearing set for Tuesday regarding adopting my step-son, and fortunately here in Texas the court and the judge have let me forgo having the home study performed, as my step-son has been in my care for over a decade now. It will also depend on whether the biological parent is willing to voluntarily relinquish their parental rights (easiest and cheapest) or whether you would be asking the judge to involuntarily terminate their rights.

Having a consultation with a Louisiana family attorney is certainly a good idea.

All told it's cost me approximately $1,800 including attorney's fees, court filing fees, and the criminal background check fee, and that's with it being uncontested. I was told that if the sperm owner had contested it then I was looking at anything from $5,000 - $10,000.

I started the process approximately two months ago. I tracked down the sperm owner using his social security number and a private detective, then had my lawyer send him a threatening letter with a lot of long words in it like "judicious" and "abandonment", basically telling him to either sign the relinquishment or I would pursue child support with the Attorney General's office. He chose the former, which is what I wanted.

Does the $1800 cover lawyer representation as well or just the consultation?

We're also looking at my husband adopting my 8-year-old son soon, but we cannot decide whether to just consult a lawyer or have them represent us in court. I have the same case as the OP, bio-father is not listed in the birth certificate. In my case, I have not seen my "sperm donor" since I was 3-months pregnant. So I'll go with the involuntary termination of paternity rights route. My husband has been the father of our since he was 1 1/2 years old.

[Hypnos 6,576]

It was $1,700 for the lawyer's fee, including representation, and the other $100 was miscellaneous costs like court filing fees and the criminal background check fee, so all told it came it about $1,800.

Certainly you can do it yourself, although it is far from a simple process.

[island_princess 2]

My husband wants to adopt my 12 y.o daughter. Though I was not married to his Filipino father, he acknowledged his paternity. He basically signed my daughter's BC. Now, my question - if I have to get his notarized consent, can he have it is notarized at the US Embassy in Manila? Will this document be acknowledge her in the US?

[Hypnos 6,576]

You should ask that question of a Floridian family lawyer, since that's the law that would be governing the adoption.

[bsweet 0]

What if my wife has no idea who my step-daughter's father is? There is no father listed on the birth certificate. And no record of any man with parental rights. Will adoption still be possible? Does that add an expensive complication?

[Brassballs 47]

FWIW Ohio is much easier than what I've been reading so far.

Going through the surname change now. Hearing is first week in Feb. After that the adoption process will begin. No NEED for legal representation. Ohio has an online packet to begin the process. Not saying it will be easy but certainly not as convoluted as LA and TX.