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1 Answer | Asked in Adoption and Family Law for Arkansas on
Q: In the state of Arkansas, may a step dad adopt without the fathers consent if the father was never married to the mother

Also the biological father has not had anything to do with the children in 2 years.. financial or physical contact

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Jan 11, 2024

In Arkansas, the ability of a stepfather to adopt a child without the biological father's consent can be influenced by several factors. Typically, if the biological father has not maintained contact or provided financial support for the children for a specified period, the court may be more... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Adoption, Child Custody and Family Law for Illinois on
Q: Can a parent sign over their rights to a friend after their child is put into foster care, In the state of Kentucky

The mothers daughter was put into foster care, at the end of the month she has court for termination of rights, and she would like to sign those rights over to me and my husband instead. We just want to know if that is even possible and how to proceed if it is.

Cheryl Powell
Cheryl Powell
answered on Jan 11, 2024

I can tell you what would happen in Illinois and the rules should be similar to Illinois. In Illinois, the child would be a ward of the court before a termination of rights case began. The only way you could get the child is if DCFS KY agrees. You need a lawyer who works with DCFS and does... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Adoption for Texas on
Q: My husband is going to be adopted by his best friends parents. What decision making rights will they then obtain?
T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Jan 10, 2024

The adoptive parents will typically gain full legal parental rights, including decision-making authority for your husband. This encompasses various aspects of his life, such as education, medical care, and other important matters. After the adoption is finalized, your husband's legal... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Adoption and Child Custody for Minnesota on
Q: How can my new husband adopt my daughter who’s been fatherless for 3 years he don’t reach out to her in 3 years ?

He don’t support her in any way he don’t call to talk he don’t reach out to me period my new husband has been there for her how can I get my new husband to adopt her legally

Robert Kane
Robert Kane
answered on Jan 6, 2024

The father will need to consent to the step-parent adoption or you will need to convince the judge to proceed without it. The judge will need more information than just your statement.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Adoption for Kentucky on
Q: Should file motion for default judgment?

Had 1st hearing for TPR and adoption. Bio mom said she was not served that sheriff just left paperwork. Bio dad was served in jail.

On that court date the judge personally served her and instructed her and us that she had 20 days to respond to the summons/petition.

It has been 20... View More

Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison
answered on Jan 4, 2024

File a motion for default judgment against both parents.

1 Answer | Asked in Adoption for Utah on
Q: Can I be adopted by my living biological mother since my adoption in Iowa at age 3 cannot be overturned??

I was placed in foster care in September 1983, after my biological father xxx, along with his sister Deborah Zumwalt and his sister in law xx lied to a corrupt young CPS investigator in Iowa, accusing my biological mother of drunkenness, illicit drug use etc., even though my biological father has a... View More

Jason F. Barnes
Jason F. Barnes
answered on Dec 28, 2023

The short answer is, "Maybe". There are factors that need to be addressed and then it is all up to a judge.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Adoption for California on
Q: Can my stepmom adopt me even though she and my bio mom aren't together anymore? My bio mom doesn't have parental rights.

I am 18 years old. I have two moms- I will call them K and C. They were both legally my parents and on my birth certificate, but C is my bio mom. K and C divorced and C married my stepmom, who I will refer to as T. Years later, C's parental rights were terminated, and I started living only... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Dec 25, 2023

Under California law, adult adoption is a legal process allowing someone over 18 to be adopted. This is relevant in your situation as you're 18 years old. In cases of adult adoption, the consent of the biological or legal parents is not required. This means that your other mom, K, does not... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Adoption, Family Law and Native American Law for California on
Q: How do I say CPS if I was in the process of getting my native American paperwork and the adopted my child out and didn't
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Dec 20, 2023

In cases involving Native American children, the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) provides specific legal standards that must be followed. If your child was adopted out while you were in the process of obtaining your Native American documentation, it’s important to understand how ICWA may apply to... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Juvenile Law and Adoption for California on
Q: If my brother adopted my children in juvenile dependency court, is there any way to get visits through family law?
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Dec 15, 2023

In California, if your brother has adopted your children through juvenile dependency court, the situation regarding visitation rights can be complex.

After an adoption is finalized, the legal relationship between the biological parents and the children is typically severed, and the adoptive...
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1 Answer | Asked in Appeals / Appellate Law, Family Law and Adoption for California on
Q: I need an experienced lawyer for cps they terminated my parental rights but I put in for an appeal I need help

What is the best thing to do

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Dec 10, 2023

Under California law, if your parental rights have been terminated and you have filed for an appeal, it is crucial to seek legal representation experienced in child welfare law. An attorney with expertise in this area can provide you with the guidance and representation needed during the appeals... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Adoption and Child Custody for Kentucky on
Q: Once I get an attorney to adopt my cousin I have permanent custody of what will the hearing look like

Both if bio parent’s voluntarily sign away rights or don’t sign away rights

Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison
answered on Dec 11, 2023

If the patents sign away their rights, there won’t be a hearing. If they do not, the court will take testimony to determine whether the parents rights will be terminated.

1 Answer | Asked in Adoption for New York on
Q: I paid for a rental truck for two friends they didn’t return the truck for 3 months I never signed anything nor had poss

Procession of it 18 month later they issued a warrant for me and I was arrest at my home. I didn’t pick the truck or sign anything and I was only paying the people I was trying to help were found with the truck along with a lot of other stolen property. Per Penske policy it states whom ever paid... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Dec 8, 2023

I'm sorry about your ordeal. You may need to repost under Criminal Law instead of Adoption Law, the chosen category. That's probably why the question remained open. Not every question is picked up here, but you'd have better chances of a response under that category. Good luck

1 Answer | Asked in Adoption, Child Custody, Child Support and Family Law for Georgia on
Q: Can I be legitimized through child protective services

Do I have to be legitimized through the court system

Alake Colwell Furlow
Alake Colwell Furlow
answered on Dec 9, 2023

If you are the father DFCS will not give you custody even temporarily until you legitimize. Therefore, yes, the juvenile court will allow you to legitimize the child and sign an order, should they decide too, so that you can be awarded custody.

1 Answer | Asked in Adoption for Kentucky on
Q: I am Maternal grandmother and wish to adopt grandkids i have permanent custody of. How are my chances?

5yr old got perm. Custody in 2021. 18 mo perm Custody in 2023. Had 18 mo old from birth 5 yo all but 4mo of life. Have petitoned court for TPR and adoption hearing this month. Both parents were served by sheriff with notice of hearing.

History of drugs criminal child abuse case pending... View More

Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison
answered on Dec 8, 2023

Pretty good, especially if they don’t show up.

1 Answer | Asked in Adoption and Child Custody for Kentucky on
Q: Can I petition for sibling visitation rights for the 2 kids I’m adopting? They aren’t getting to see their sister.

I’m adopting 2 of my sisters children, after a voluntary terminated her rights.(ages 12 & 10) The other 2 kids were returned to fathers. (All kids have different dads). We have visitation rights with one child via mediation( age 7) but the other child we are not getting to see (age 4). All 4... View More

Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison
answered on Dec 7, 2023

Yes. You can.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Adoption and Child Custody for Kentucky on
Q: My brother and his girlfriend wanna give me there baby what do I need to do? An will cps be involved?

My brother an his girlfriend have a baby he just turned 1 they both say they can't care for him mentally or financially an there splitting up and wanna give him to me there asking me if cps would have to be involved? and if so would they let me keep him? They don't want him in foster care... View More

Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison
answered on Dec 1, 2023

You can file a custody action and do it all by agreement, most likely without any intervention from CPS.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Adoption for Colorado on
Q: My wife passed away in 2021. I just got remarried. How does my new wife adopt the kids? In case something happens to me.
Sabra M. Janko
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answered on Nov 30, 2023

I am sorry to hear about your wife. Your new wife can adopt the children through a stepparent adoption.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Adoption, Child Custody and Child Support for Kentucky on
Q: If I talk to the birth mom about relinquishing rights to her daughter so I can adopt her

Can I tell her I will see about getting her child support and back support forgiven or would that be coercion I’ve had permanent custody almost 2 years and the child’s been with me 3 years

Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison
answered on Nov 28, 2023

You have to be very careful with this type of thing. You should have your lawyer broach this issue with her rather than doing it yourself.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Adoption, Appeals / Appellate Law and Child Support for New Jersey on
Q: I had a hearing on my motion for cs modification the judge granted my request. After the hearing The court received.

A request for an adjournment. And gave accepted it for a new court date. Meanwhile I was there and the hearing took place and the ruling was made. She completely changed her decision with no basis except for the other party saying I used to have a trade that paid well. I don't... View More

Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Nov 27, 2023

I gather you filed an application for modification and the other side failed to file timely opposition and then asked the court for a new date to be able to provide the court with new information. Unfortunately, this type of settling happens regularly, especially when the court has 2 pro se... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Child Support, Family Law, Adoption and Child Custody for Kentucky on
Q: If a parent voluntarily signs away rights for their child to be adopted can their child support be forgiven

If the adoptive parent consents when the bio parent is a over $4000 behind

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Nov 27, 2023

When a parent surrenders their parental rights, they are essentially giving up all of their rights and responsibilities to the child. This includes the right to have contact with the child, the right to make decisions about the child's upbringing, and the right to receive child support from... View More

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