Legal Question in Family Law in Hawaii

Step-parent adoption

Recently the mother of my four children, whom I never married myself, got married to someone in the navy, they now live in hawaii, during the course of the breakup, we had legal problems that resulted in a no-contact order put against me both by her and the courts in Washington. Now I have been notified that she wants her husband to adopt the children, though she has stated this doesnt mean I will lose completel involvement in their lives, I would like to know the process in which she has to go through to a) start the adoption, what it will cost her and what is required, and also b) what she would have to do to remove the no contact order against me, as she has told others who've informed me she may have it removed either before or after the adoption is complete, though it is not something I want to do, I feel I have no real choice as I am no longer supporting the children and they dont want me as a father. The oldest is 7 the youngest is 4. I do not know what to do anymore and request as much information to assist me in this decision as I may obtain, being as I'm unable to contact them at all.


Asked on 5/07/07, 4:03 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Gregory Napier Troutman & Napier, PLLC

Re: Step-parent adoption

Before a step-parent can adopt, your parental rights must be terminated. Any legal grounds for you to have contact with the children will be gone forever and a promise to let you have contact has absolutely no force. Terminating your parental rights voluntarily is NOT reversible. You have the right to go to court and seek visitation with the children even if there is a no-contact order in place regarding the mother. Be absolutely certain you believe it is the right thing to do before you voluntarily terminate your parental rights!

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Answered on 5/08/07, 10:15 am


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