Adoption Help!

August 26, 2004

Hi - I am the step parent of a 9 year old boy in California. I am the only mother he has ever known. My husband's ex-wife has not seen him since he was 3 and calls or writes once a year to us to ask questions about him. We got marreid last year and want to pursue the option of adoption. I would like to handle as much myself instead of hiring an attorney since we do not have alot of money to do so. How do I get started and what resources can I get to help. How much is this going to coast approxmiately.

Please help point me in the right direction.

Thanks!

fortybaydome

September 5, 2004

Your best bet is to look into your county social services organization. They can give you free information and can tell you what forms you need to file. In my county, step-parent adoption is allowed when there has been no financial contribution nor any contact from the other parent in over a year. This constitutes abandonment.