New with questions!!

Hi! I'm new here. I'm looking for information about step parent adoption in CA, as my dh wants to adopt my daughter. She's 8, and we haven't heard from her bio father since she was 13 months old. His marine recruiter saw her more recently, lol! He has been paying his child support (of $54 a month!) since he joined the marines when she was about 2, but that's it, no calls, letters, visits or anything. So, what do we do? Can we do this ourselves? Or should we find a lawyer or paralegal? I read of a book about doing it yourself, but wasn't sure if it was any good. Any suggestions? BTW, we're in the Sacramento area, if anyone has recommendations. Thanks! Oh, and my dh and I have been married 4.5 years, so we're good on that front too, as I read on this board that you've got to be married for over a year, lol.