Legal Question in Family Law in Maryland

Step parent adoption-Maryland

I have a 5 yr old daughter who my fiance has been a father to for over 3 yrs. We know in order for him to adopt her we must first be married. The question I have is that the biological man(I can't even call him father) involved, I have not been in contact with since right after her birth but his name is on the birth cert and he signed it. No paternity test has ever been given, nor have I ever filed for child support. I do not know of his whereabouts, again its been 5 yrs since i've talked to him. I now live in Maryland. Do we have to even attempt to serve adoption proceeding orders since the paternity has never legally been proven?I know the orders would be in a newspaper because I do not know of his whereabouts. Is there anything else we can do to get his name off birth certificate?


Asked on 4/22/08, 2:37 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Robert Sher Wagshal and Sher

Re: Step parent adoption-Maryland

You have to give him "notice" of the adoption proceeding via a newspaper notice. Presumably he will ignore the notice, even if he happens to see it. You should then be in a position to proceed with the adoption.

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Answered on 4/22/08, 2:48 pm


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