Q: Can my boyfriend of 8 years adopt my daughter who is 9, if we're not married and her biological father consents?
I have a 9 year old daughter that my boyfriend has been helping me raise since she was almost 2 years old. Her biological father hasn't really been present in her life for the past 4 years. He isn't on child support, he doesn't help provide for her, and rarely contacts her. Without my boyfriend and I being married can he legally adopt her if her bio father consents? We live in Fl and in two separate counties.
A: The biological father would need to cooperate and terminate his parental rights. You should consult with a local adoption attorney as this is possible but can be a complicated process.
A: A marriage license might be cheaper than the extra complications might cost.
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