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Question about adopting??

Okay so here’s the thing. I am currently engaged and once I get married would like to adopt my step daughter. I have discussed it with my fiance and we both like that idea. Now my question is, how would I go about doing so? What all does it entail? The only thing I have been told so far is that her father would need to sign papers. Now her father is not a part of her life and doesn’t see her or help raise her. She is going into 2nd grade and only has one parent right now. I would love to give her a second parent and my fiance would like that too. I would absolutely love to make her my daughter. I don’t know the process of adoption though and am looking for someone who knows where I can begin. Anyone who knows about adoption or has experience with it please help me out here. I would greatly appreciate it. If you have any questions or need to contact me please FunMail me. Thank you in advance to all who contribute. :)

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Answer #1

Once you both are married contact a family law attorney. Ask how long of waiting time (if any) till you can adopt. I know you have to be married for some time before you can adopt the step child depending on each state. You will have to have a lawyer. The other parent must sign his rights over as well. If the other parent has not paid child support and has already been filed on him then you may be able to skip the process of court if he will just sign the papers drawn up by the attorney. If he owes child support then the lawyer will threaten him with jail time or to pay the balance and if he does not want the child then most likely he will just sign the paper.

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