Legal Question in Family Law in New York
signing over legal rights
I have full custody of m daughter and her father pays child support. But I want my husband to have legal rights to her can he adopt her? How does that work?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: signing over legal rights
It is wonderful that you have re-married and your new husband accepts and cares for your daughter. My congratulations.
The legal issues are not so happy. For example, if your new husband adopts, then the natural father will no longer be legally required to pay child support.
Second, if the natural father chooses to dispute or contest the adoption, then the adoption is unlikely to be approved by the court. It is very helpful in an adoption in these circumstances that the natural father either agree to the adoption or not oppose the adoption (usually by defaulting).