Step Parent Adoption Blog Has Launched!

Hi all I just wanted to come and introduce myself! I am Julie, the proud adoptive parent to my 14 year old used to be stepson, and my three year old son! We have come a long road from stepfamily to stepparent adoption! My adopted stepson has suffered from an uncaring and emotionally abusive birthparent who in the end walked out on him, well actually several times during his life, but the last was the LAST. I am writing to stepparent adoption section in the new adoptionblogs.com and wanted to introduce myself, and invite everyone to come and check out the new and quickly growing site! See you at the blogs! Julie

I need help. Here is my situation. I have a 12 year old son, his biological father and I were never married, in fact he only saw the baby twice in his whole life. I did not put father on birth certificate, so my son has my maiden name. I got married four years ago and my husband wants to adopt my son. How do I go about doing this? Did I mention that the biological father is in fereral prison until 2033. Since he is not on birth certificate do I need to terminate his right? What do I do? I have been researching for months and stll have zero answers...can we do it without a lawyer? i hope someone can help, Thanks! marie

I just wanted to say I really love the Stepparent Adoption Blog. I look everyday for a new post to read. Keep up the good work everyone! -Jessica

My husband adopted my son, but we did get a lawyer, I was too afraid something would come back to haunt us. The lawyer sent him papers and he signed then his rights were terminated! It was quick really.

I have an almost 11 year old boy, he is very loving to me. But he is mouthy, rude, greedy and sometimes down right mean to his brother and sister. He was 3 when my hubby adopted him, he thinks he is his father and by all meanings he is. His father left when he was 2 and never looked back. My question is I want to tell him the truth, but he never really bonded with my husband no matter how hard he tried my son pushed him away. Now when I tell him I am afraid they will never be close? What do I do? I do not want to keep this from him but when and how do I go about this. Thanks for any help

Try the stepparent adoption blog, I have written several articles on talking with children about adoption. [url]http://stepparent.adoptionblogs.com/index.php?cat=1552[/url] It is hard when a child refuses to bond with a parent, there is also a section on bonding in the stepparent adoption blog, that you may wish to check out, let me know after you read through the blog if you still have questions or concerns and I will be more than happy to address them! Julie

Hi Julie, Point: what do I need to write on a letter to send the biological father notifying him of my husband wanting to adopt my son? Story: A year ago I got married to the man that has been 'daddy' since my son was 8 months old. We told my son about having 'another father' and took him down to meet him about 2 years ago. Birth father hasn't had any contact with him since and the only contact ever had with my son before then was when I took it upon myself to call him or send him letters or pictures updating him on our son. My husband wants to adopt my son. I spoke with an attorney who suggested I send the birth father a letter letting him know of our intentions, but I have no idea what to write...I guess I worry about 'hurting' or 'upsetting' the birth father with what I might write - and in turn have him 'fight' the adoption. Any suggestions? I'd love to have the lawyer do it, but we don't have the money to get the 'ball rolling' right now. Should we just wait altogether until we can afford the services... or ...at least send the letter of intent to him and work the rest out later. I've no clue what would be best. Thanks so much for your input.

Julie, Need info on step parent adoption in Indiana. I see we meet 3/4 of the criteria for not needing his consent, (we only need 1)even though he still needs to be informed and still can contest, any additional info would be great!!

Hey I'm in the same situation. The only answer I have found is that you dont need his permission. I'm sure you dont have to have a lawyer either if you can get all the documents that need to be filed with the court and file them. What i dont know and am still myself looking for the answer on is can we just go in and have my husband sign the certificate? Hope this helps some and if you know anything bout my question i would sure love to hear some feedback.

That is incorrect, you will need the consent of the non-custodial parent even if he isn't listed in the legal documents. Parental rights are in place until they are legally terminated.