Havelock, NC asked in Divorce and Adoption for North Carolina

Q: Can termination of parental rights be sought during the divorce process, or must the petition wait until afterward?

The biological father has not had contact with my son (who is now 5) for close to three years. I have been with my partner for these past three years, and my son calls him dad. My partner and I would like to get married and he would like to adopt my son. Should the petition wait until after the divorce has been settled, or can it just as easily be accomplished during the process?

Also, will the court attempt to bring the biological father back into a relationship with my son?

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1 Lawyer Answer
Amanda Bowden Johnson
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Answered
  • Family Law Lawyer
  • Jacksonville, NC
  • Licensed in North Carolina

A: The petition is separate from the divorce and neither will have much if any impact on the other. So they can be done at the same time or either one before the other.

1 user found this answer helpful

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