What to do if I’ve been married to my stepdaughter’s biological father for 5 years and would like to adopt her?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
What to do if I’ve been married to my stepdaughter’s biological father for 5 years and would like to adopt her?
Her biological mother moved, left her with us 3 1/2 years ago and hasn’t had any contact for the last 2 1/2 years. Is that grounds for a judge to terminate her rights even without her consent?
Asked on December 6, 2012 under Family Law, Maryland
Answers:
M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
There has to be a basis for the termination of parental rights. Courts are not inclined to do so unless it is in the child's best interests, and that is such a fact sensitive determination that this forum makes it difficult to properly guide you. She may in fact wish to terminate them voluntarily but courts want to see a new potential parent "waiting in the wings" to adopt her. Please speak with an attorney. Good luck.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.