Legal Question in Family Law in Nevada
how can i adopt a minor child i have been legal guardian of since 2003. the birth mother left her at 3 weeks old with people she had known the were drug addicts. she singed over coustody while in prison. has been out of prison for approx. 4 to 5 years and had made no attempt to contact child, the birth father is unknown and the proper announcements were made to locate any father that may have been. mailings were sent out to last known addresses of any potential birth father, with no response. birth mother has beed in and out of prison several times since before becoming an adult. birth mother also has several other children (6) that she has given up or left at verious places including 1 at a las vegas hospital. i do not know of her whereabouts since the last time i knew she was incarserated. i am the only mother this child has ever known. i am a single mother, she is my only child. she is known by the name i gave her. her birth certificate has her birth name on it. i obtained copy after obtaining co-guardianship with my x, who has since abandoned the family. she is now in 1st grade and im having problems whit school calling her by her birth name. she has never been known by or called this name in her life and is confused and does not like her birth name. i love this child with every inch of my soul and want we want to make our union legal. please help me to acheive this. I have a limited income being a single parent. can i do it myself?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Yes, but it is not that easy and the forms are not readily available. Contact the Clark County Pro Bono Project/Legal Aid of Southern Nevada. Perhaps based upon your income, you might qualify for a free or reduced fee volunteer attorney.