Step child adoption

[Commish10 427]

14 hours ago, NoMansLand2020 said:

Who has successfully adopted their Filipino step children? What was the process that you followed and how complicated was it? 

 

My spouse has two children whom she had with an ex boyfriend in the Philippines. They were never married. The biological father has not been in the picture for 4+ years. He pretty much abandoned the kids. 

 

One child's birth certificate lists him as the father. My spouse has no idea where he would be nor how to contact him. 

 

I spoke to an attorney today and he said the father would have to give up his rights and that we would most likely have to go to the Philippines to serve him. But since he is not familiar with the laws of the Philippines he cannot offer much help. He further said it would be an international adoption and that I am  looking at upwards of 25k to adopt each one. 

 

None of this makes sense to me. Why would my step children who have lived in the US with me and their mother for over a year be considered as an international adoption?  I further thought that single Filipino mothers have sole custody of their illegitimate children. And furthermore understood that parents who have abandoned their children have relinquished their parental rights. 

Following

[Family 3,988]

On 3/28/2023 at 8:42 AM, ROK2USA said:

The timeline might be more complicated if you’re planning on adopting them before they receive their green cards

Adoption can NOT happen before children become LPRs, as it will sever the existing step-parental relationship and won’t satisfy requirements for USCIS. 
After kids are LPR, just go to local court , pick up a packet and list of low bono/ pro bono agencies for legal help.

 

I think , wife has agreed to willingly go back home and let OP take care of children.(??)…

 

 

[Boiler 45,466]

4 minutes ago, Family said:

Adoption can NOT happen before children become LPRs, as it will sever the existing step-parental relationship and won’t satisfy requirements for USCIS. 
After kids are LPR, just go to local court , pick up a packet and list of low bono/ pro bono agencies for legal help.

 

I think , wife has agreed to willingly go back home and let OP take care of children.(??)…

 

 

I came to a very different assumption

[Family 3,988]

16 minutes ago, Boiler said:

I came to a very different assumption

Pray tell..

[Redro 4,611]

35 minutes ago, Family said:

Adoption can NOT happen before children become LPRs, as it will sever the existing step-parental relationship and won’t satisfy requirements for USCIS. 
After kids are LPR, just go to local court , pick up a packet and list of low bono/ pro bono agencies for legal help.

 

I think , wife has agreed to willingly go back home and let OP take care of children.(??)…

 

 

But does the mother have to become an LPR, too... would USCIS flag a case where mother either remains in US out of status or returns home while OP continues to petition his step-children? 

[Boiler 45,466]

23 minutes ago, Family said:

Pray tell..

I don't see her going anywhere