Legal Question in Family Law in Mississippi
trying to adopt my soon to be step daughter
I feel very strong about family and when I first started dating my girl friend I knew she had a daughter and that wasn't a problem. My girlfriend's ex was in and out of jail and had nothing to do with his daughter. So I had plained on adopting her. Now need to know what to do about this and how to go about it. The father doesn't pay child support. But my girlfriend thinks its going to start a big problem with her ex inlaws, and doesn't want the daughter to go through that. I agree but there has to be some way to do this without upsetting to many people. I just won't the best for the daughter but if I can't adopt her and be her father then it may cause some strain on the whole family. So I need to know if there is anything that we can do and how soon we can do it. We as of now are getting married in July of 07. I would like to have somthing done by then. If not at least know that we can do somthing when we get married. Thank you, Ben
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: trying to adopt my soon to be step daughter
Don�t even think about trying to start the adoption process until you are married. In fact, I would suggest you wait at least a year or so after you have been married to the mother, to demonstrate the stability of your relationship to the Chancellor.
You may need some of that extra time to save for the legal expenses. To terminate the rights of the natural father (without his consent), will require the Court to appoint a Guardian ad Litem to represent the interest of the child at your expense. Also, it sounds like the paternal grandparents could have you spending lots of time at the courthouse, if they have the resources. You should expect to incur substantial legal fees and cost.
It is not my intention to discourage you from adopting this child. I would point out however, that the piece of paper you may receive at the conclusion of the proceeding, will not make you a father in the eyes of this little girl. What she will need is a Dad that she can depend and rely on in good times and bad. No piece of paper can give her that.
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