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Speak Up! - View Question #171 |
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Question: How do I terminate my fathers rights to me. I have not seen him in three years. I want my step dad to adopt me.
Answer: Although you have not seen your father in three years, is he paying child support or has he kept in touch with you in some way? This is important because if he has not paid support or called or sent letters, etc., there may be grounds to terminate parental rights on the basis of abandonment. To do this a petition for termination of parental rights would need to be filed with the juvenile court and your father would have an opportunity to challenge it. The easiest thing to do would be for your mother to ask your father to voluntarily give up his parental rights. Then you would be free to be adopted, if that's what your step-father and mother agree it is best for you.
Even if your step-father cannot legally adopt you, he is still acting as your father for all practical purposes and obviously cares about you. So whether you are legally adopted or not, you are fortunate to have two loving adults to take care of you.
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| 1 thru 5 of 23 comments |
On 10/08/07
from AL said:
but what if my father doesnt want to give up his parental rights that will just cause more pain to me
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On 10/27/05
Deborah from GA said:
my childs father left the house and I filed abandonment warrant against him where we both will be going to court for on the 4th of Nov.Can I have his rights terminated on these grounds.I moved back here to be with him and got married to him,now he jumped up and left us and I have breast cancer.I really don't want this man confusing my daughter in her life by wanting to come and go when he think he can.A order was done some time ago where I am the primary custodial parent I was told that order was good regardless that we got married it stands untill it's taken back to court to be modified.
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On 05/20/05
Morgan from LA said:
We dont have much money for a good attorney to bring this to the courts attention. I was wanting to know how would I provide papers for him to voluntarily terminate his parental rights if he was willing to do so. We were told this would be the easiest way. Could someone please let me know who should I contact to go about this? Thanks
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On 05/20/05
Morgan from LA said:
Hi,my son's bio father and I broke up when he was just 2 ms old.I had a restraining order put on him and he ended up violating it and was put in jail they also found drug parafanalia on him as well.I met a wonderful man 2 ms later and we are engaged.My son's bio father got released from jail after 3 ms and have not made any contact with my son since he was 2 ms old.Nor does he pay child support.He is now 2 years old and my fiance is wanting to adopt him.Hes a wonderful daddy and my son loves him like crazy.I know the chances the courts terminating his rights are high based on his profile(cont)
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On 04/22/04
henry from MN said:
My Dad will not leave me alone and when he gets mad he threatens to leave me on the streets. I need to get away from him but no one understands. Please tell me if there is any way I can get away from him legally. I don't want to break the law and I don't want my friends' parents getting involved. If you have information, email me at [email protected], please!
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