Legal Question in Family Law in Mississippi

Re: Step Parent Adoption

The chancery court will have to be petitioned for adoption of the child and termination of the birth father's rights. To terminate the right of potential fathers to later object to the adoption, you should probably include affidavits from otential fathers acknowleding they knew about the pregnancy. See Miss. Code Annot. Section 93-17-6. and the case of Dr. K.B. AND Dr. R.M. v. J.G. No. 2008-CA-00472-SCT(Miss. May 28, 2009).

Re: Step Parent Adoption

Affidavits from potential fathers are not essential. They would be good if you can get them. Generally, it seems that the law places the burden on the bio father to show that he acted reasonably promptly to establish a parental relationship with the child, and that setting aside an adoption is not adverse to the child's interest. For a recent national survey of the law on this subject see "In the Matter of the Adoption of A.A.T., a Minor Child" No. 98,740 (Kansas December 12, 2008).