Legal Question in Family Law in Arkansas

Adoption Requirements

I have a question regarding adoption laws and requirements. Could a father adopt children if he already has a biological child/children that he has neglected or disregarded? The former military father resides in Arkansas and the 14 yr. old biological child resides in Texas whom he has never met, even hung up the phone on at one point in time, etc. He has also failed to maintain/renew medical care for the biological child who born with Spina Bifida.

Thanks in advance,


Asked on 2/22/06, 12:19 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys

TC Langford Langford Law Office

Re: Adoption Requirements

Every adoption requires preparation of a social study of the environment of the adoptive family. This information can be forwarded to the department of the county where the adoption is being filed for consideration of inclusion in the social study. Can't speculate on whether or not it will affect the outcome.

On another tack -- if there are valid court orders regarding the care and support of the biological child, those orders should be enforced. Bluntly this child will someday grow up and still require medical attention that you may not still be around to provide. It is not an obligation to you, it is an obligation to his child. You have been entrusted with the duty to enforce that obligation. TCL

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Answered on 2/22/06, 1:03 pm
James Grissom Law Office of James P. Grissom

Re: Adoption Requirements

It's technically possible and not unlikely that the father could adopt another child. A social study is supposed to reveal other marriages and children, but I doubt that you would receive notice of any adoption in order to protest. I'm not sure how that would be received by the adoption court. If he is not paying child support, pursue him through the AG's office. If you are not getting a prompt response from the AG's office, contact me by e-mail. I do those cases all the time.

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Answered on 2/22/06, 1:08 pm


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