Asked in Family Law, Adoption and Child Custody for Arkansas

Q: For child abandonment do you have to file for terminated rights or is it automatic when they have no contact or support

My sons 3, his bio dad hasn't seen him since he was 3 months old, he's not on birth certificate and hadn't established paternity, my significant other wants to adopt him, but we're not married yet but plan to be, do I need to terminate rights or have they already been terminated and do we have to be married for him to adopt

1 Lawyer Answer
James E Hensley Jr
James E Hensley Jr
Answered
  • Divorce Lawyer
  • Conway, AR
  • Licensed in Arkansas

A: You have to file adoption papers. You do not have to be married. You can adopt the children yourselves. Or you can have your significant other adopt them. Expect total costs to be around $4000 to $5000 if you can't find the bio dad. $4000 if he will consent.

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