Rehoboth, MA asked in Family Law, Adoption and Child Custody for Massachusetts

Q: How can I prove abandonment of child and terminate rights of biological father? He's been gone over 4 years.

My now husband wants to adopt. Bio Father has been in and out of jail over last 10 years for years at a time. Never paid child support.. We live in Massachusetts.

1 Lawyer Answer
Lillian J. LaRosa
Lillian J. LaRosa
Answered
  • Divorce Lawyer
  • Woburn, MA
  • Licensed in Massachusetts

A: I take it you have already explored whether he would voluntarily consent to adoption by stepfather? This is the easiest method to proceed. Otherwise there would need to be either a default on a petition or a trial establishing unfitness of bio father with an adjudication.

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