Tallahassee, FL asked in Family Law for Florida

Q: Should I end child support services through the state to proceed with stepparent adoption?

My husband is trying to adopt my six year old son whos father has not seen him in over five years. I have also had to file contempt several times for nonpayment of court ordered support. There is also an injunction against the bio father but he has requested court ordered visitation but has not used it at all nor built a relationship with our son. He has no contact what so ever and doesnt send gifts or even letters. He stated in court he moved out of state over a month ago but never made me aware before hand as the custodial parent. The bio father refuses to sign consent unless I ask the state to end child support first. Is this a smart move or should I just get a lawyer and try to terminate rights in order to proceed without consent?

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1 Lawyer Answer
John Arthur Smitten
John Arthur Smitten
Answered
  • Clearwater, FL
  • Licensed in Florida

A: Typically the biological father who pays support will want to zero out the child support as a trade off for signing the adoption consent papers.

Use of a lawyer is recommended.

John A. Smitten, Esquire

Carey Leisure and Neal

622 Bypass Drive, Suite 100

Clearwater, FL 33764

Phone: 727-799-3900/Fax: 727-490-4944

jsmitten@careyandleisure.com

www.careyandleisure.com

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