Legal Question in Family Law in Oklahoma
My daughter's biological father has signed over his parental rights to her so that my husband can adopt her. We have not had enough money to file it with the courts yet. How do I make sure my husband gets my daughter in the the event that something happens to me, since technically he has no legal rights to her even though he has been her dad since before she was born.
1 Answer from Attorneys
The reliquishment of parental rights must be order by a judge and a court of proper jurisdiction to be in effect. If you didn't petition the courts to execute an Order regarding the surrender of the father's parental rights no action can be taken by your husband as a legal guardian of the child. The biological father will continue to have rights to the child in the event that something happens to you. As the legal, custodial parent, you are the only one who has the right to execute this adoption procedure. It you have this action secured by his [the natural father's] signature, it is recommended that you file this document in court as soon as possible. I hope this helps.