Legal Question in Family Law in Florida

Step parent adoption

How long has to go by of the paternal father not contacted the child before the court considers it abandonment? I am submitting the paperwork for a step parent adoption. I ahve been married for two years. The paternal father has not made contact in three years.I am unable to locate him


Asked on 4/14/08, 9:57 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Robert Simpson

Re: Step parent adoption

There is no set number of years or months to constitute "abandonment". If the father is not visiting the child, not paying support nor providing any nuturing for the child, the Court could consider this abandonment. Of course, if you file for a step-parent adoption, he may just sign off/consent to it and the matter can proceed accordingly.

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Answered on 4/14/08, 3:11 pm


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