Legal Question in Family Law in Colorado

Where to start with step-parent adoption

My husband & I have been married for 6 years and he is wanting to adopt my son from a previous relationship. We have no idea where the bio-father is and he hasn't seen my son since he was 3. He is now 8! How do we go about starting the adoption process and what are the abandonment laws in Colorado? Also can we legally change his name before my husband adopts him. I have no idea where to start with all of this and any info would be appreciated!

Thanks ahead of time!


Asked on 6/21/00, 9:31 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Stanley Spring Stanley A. Spring, Attorney at Law

Re: Where to start with step-parent adoption

To get papers served on your child's bio-father, you would have to make good faith effort to find him. Then, once you can demonstrate that he can't be found, you can get a court order allowing publication of a summons. If he has not supported and has not had contact with the child for over a year, then you can get an abandonment order. Then you can file adoption papers. Contact an attorney to get everything done in the right order. It can be tricky.

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Answered on 8/31/00, 4:48 pm


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