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Missouri Adoption Questions & Answers
0 Answers | Asked in Civil Litigation, Family Law, Adoption and Child Custody for Missouri on
Q: Law cited in Private action pet to adopt/ term. Par. Rights does not at all apply. Can we have this dismissed

I have never faced legal allegations of abuse and dhs has never been involved.

1 Answer | Asked in Adoption, Child Custody, Child Support and Family Law for Missouri on
Q: can i legally adopt a dad

i dont have one mine left for milk

Ronald J. Eisenberg
Ronald J. Eisenberg
answered on Oct 13, 2021

What does it mean to leave for milk?

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Adoption, Child Custody and Juvenile Law for Missouri on
Q: I am wanting to file a petition for emancipation but I do not know where to start or even how to start.

My home life environment is not the most stable and I pay the rent and buy groceries while paying for my own phone service and needs. I have a job and make decent money at my job. I have been threated by my stepdad and have told my school and the cops when they were called on me when I tried to... Read more »

Caroline Bundy
Caroline Bundy
answered on Apr 1, 2021

You would need to make sure that you have a place of your own to start. Parental consent to your emancipation helps, but it's not necessary.

2 Answers | Asked in Family Law, Adoption, Civil Rights and Juvenile Law for Missouri on
Q: My little sister is 17, she graduates early and wants to move in with me is that possible?

We were all adopted, her adopted family is horrible. There has been many wellness checks on her from me. Many DFS calls on the family so much stress she ran away and they brought her back. She is 17 she graduates early, and would like to live with me. I've contacted so many people and they... Read more »

Spencer Williams
Spencer Williams
answered on Feb 21, 2021

She can file a petition for emancipation. You can consider filing for guardianship of your sister as well.

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1 Answer | Asked in Adoption, Animal / Dog Law, Personal Injury and Small Claims for Missouri on
Q: A dog was hit by a random person infront of my home didn’t have chip or collar so took to vet told them we were adopting

Paid 1,000 dollars owner came forward doesn’t have proof of ownership get gave dog to owner but I can’t get my money back or the dog that I said I was adopting and didn’t ask for proof of ownership what do I do

Ronald J. Eisenberg
Ronald J. Eisenberg
answered on Nov 2, 2020

I don't believe that you have a cognizable claim to file. Missouri recognizes the "doctrine of necessaries" as to a married couple, i.e., if the medical services patient received were necessary and patient maintained no separate assets, one spouse would be liable for the reasonable... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Adoption, Child Custody and Child Support for Missouri on
Q: Can a parents rights be terminated for abandonment if his checks are garnished for child support?

My daughter is almost 4 and her biological father hasn't been around since she was about 14 months old. I filed for child support after he told me he wasn't going to help out if he couldn't have me, but has not seen her at all. My husband has been around since she was a few months... Read more »

Steve D. Hardin
PREMIUM
Steve D. Hardin
answered on Aug 17, 2020

No is the short answer. The long answer is that your husband can seek to do a step parent adoption of your daughter that would make him the legal father and terminate the parental rights of the biological father. Realistically you will need an attorney to help with this process.

1 Answer | Asked in Adoption and Family Law for Missouri on
Q: Stepparent adoption?

The biological mom of my 2 daughters lost them to state in 2015 never did anything to get them back my husband and I got the kids and at that time he recieved full custody also, with the bio mom receiving 1 hour supervised visits a week and 2 phone calls. Well she has always been a heavy addict... Read more »

Kristen Thurmond
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Kristen Thurmond
answered on Aug 12, 2019

This is something you'll need to consult with a local attorney about to see if judges in your area will modify the judgment. It sounds like you've already gotten everything you can from the court short. You would have to show some sort of detriment to the kids to get no contact between a... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Adoption and Child Custody for Missouri on
Q: I married a woman 2 years ago who at the time had a 6 month old son who's father abandoned him. I want to adopt

The biological father has had nothing to do with my son so his mother only sees fit he wears our last name with the rest of his immediate family.

Lydia Seifner
Lydia Seifner
answered on Jul 15, 2019

Based on the information you've given, it sounds like you meet the criteria for a step-parent adoption. Talk to an attorney local to you to assist you.

1 Answer | Asked in Adoption and Juvenile Law for Missouri on
Q: I'm seventeen years old and I was adopted by my grandparents but I want to move in with my mom can I do that?
Lydia Seifner
Lydia Seifner
answered on Jul 9, 2019

If your grandparents give you permission to move then you may, otherwise you will have to wait until you are eighteen.

1 Answer | Asked in Adoption, Family Law and Child Custody for Missouri on
Q: My fiancé’s kids’ father moved out of state and has not contacted them in months. Is this considered abondonment

My fiancé’s kids’ father moved to California 10 months ago (We live in Missouri) and has not spoken to them in 6 months. Is this considered a form of abondoment? If so, what steps can we take to terminate parental rights in order for me to adopt them? He “pays” child support (about $700)... Read more »

Lydia Seifner
Lydia Seifner
answered on Apr 3, 2019

You and the children's mother will need to be married for six months before you can seek adoption. After that, talk to an adoption attorney local to you to assist you.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Adoption and Child Custody for Missouri on
Q: Does Missouri recognize triparenting?

I am the biological mother. My boyfriend is biological father to my youngest and is adopting the oldest. My female roommate is married and wants to adopt the two children as well since all 3 of us raise them.

Lydia Seifner
Lydia Seifner
answered on Feb 25, 2019

While your roommate can assist you, and your boyfriend in raising the children, you cannot have have more than two legal custodians for a child.

1 Answer | Asked in Adoption, Child Custody and Family Law for Missouri on
Q: My sons father pays child support threw the state. But has not seen my son in 3 years. Is that considered abandonment?

My son is 6 and has seen bio dad a handful of times. He knows my husband as his dad. Multiple times his bio dad has disappeared and come back later trying to see him. At this point it has been 3 years since they have seen each other. However he does have child support taken out of his checks by the... Read more »

Lydia Seifner
Lydia Seifner
answered on Jan 8, 2019

The first thing to do would be to ask the biological father if he would contest your husband's adoption of your son. If not, then an adoption would be very straightforward. If he would contest the adoption, then you a court would have to evaluate the strength or the parent -child... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Adoption and Family Law for Missouri on
Q: Can my fiance adopt my five year old daughter?

Father has been proven by DNA testing but is not on birth certificate. He hasn't been in her life at all. There is no parenting plan or custody agreement between me and her father.

Kristen Thurmond
PREMIUM
Kristen Thurmond
answered on Jan 2, 2019

Talk to an attorney about step-parent adoptions. There are lots of procedural hurdles and hoops, so having an attorney is going to be the easiest way to accomplish an adoption.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Adoption and Child Custody for Missouri on
Q: Father has been absent for a year and a half due to failing to comply with the court order of a drug test.

I am filing to get Sole Legal and Physical Custody. I need advice and help on what my chances are and what my defense is to protect my child. I am currently in a serious relationship and engaged. We have spoke about adoption but are not sure on what that process entails or what we need in order to... Read more »

Lydia Seifner
Lydia Seifner
answered on Nov 27, 2018

Considering that the father has been absent for so long, and did not comply with court orders, you may very well be able to get sole custody, especially if he continues to be absent and does not respond to the petition for custody.

Regarding your engagement, you and your new spouse will...
Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Adoption and Family Law for Missouri on
Q: Can my fiance adopt my son?

My son's biological father isn't on the birth certificate and no paternity has been established. I haven't heard from him in over a year at which point he told me never to contact him again regarding our child. He's been in prison for the last 8 month's. Can my fiance adopt... Read more »

Lydia Seifner
Lydia Seifner
answered on Aug 13, 2018

Step-parent adoptions usually require the parents to have been married for six months first. Otherwise, you meet the requirements for adoption. Get married first, and then after six months, contact an adoption attorney in your area to assist you.

1 Answer | Asked in Adoption and Child Custody for Missouri on
Q: Process of adopting a child (my husband's step child)

My husband is divorced, and has a step child from the previous marriage. Her biological dad is not in the picture, and my husband has always been "Dad" to her. Her mother is on board with us adopting her. The mother is wanting part-time contact. This seems like a really unique situation... Read more »

Lydia Seifner
Lydia Seifner
answered on Apr 24, 2018

This would be a fairly straightforward adoption if mom is consenting and it's what the child wants. If the child is over fourteen, she will need to formally consent as well. The biological father would have to be notified/served in some way and if he either consents or does not respond, then... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Adoption, Child Custody and Child Support for Missouri on
Q: I am wanting to know more about terminating my parental rights. My son is almost 13yrs old.

I am about 40k in debt due to child support. I have supervised visits(2-3hr drive) one hr a week from a 2007 court order. I can't afford to remodify custody or child support payments. It cost me over a $100 every week to see him in gas alone. I have to choose when i can see him b/c i might... Read more »

Lydia Seifner
Lydia Seifner
answered on Apr 23, 2018

You can't terminate your rights without someone else to take your place, like a step -parent adoption. However you may be able to modify the order to reflect a no contact, no support agreement. Such an order would not get rid of the arrears; you would still owe it, but it would get rid of... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Adoption for Missouri on
Q: Can my husband adopt my daughter if her biological father is 15,000 dollars behind in child support?
Lydia Seifner
Lydia Seifner
answered on Apr 8, 2018

It doesn't really matter if your ex is behind in child support or not. You and your husband will need to have been married for six months, and if uncontested, your ex needs to simply not respond to the petition, or voluntarily terminate rights. However, if he contests the adoption, you will... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Adoption and Family Law for Missouri on
Q: Can Grandparents rights or visitations be attached to a Missouri adoption?

We have legal guardianship of our grandson. A visitation schedule for his maternal grandparents was attached by the court to the guardianship. His mother is deceased and his father has signed over parental rights to us. Could the court attach visitations or grandparents rights for the maternal... Read more »

Lydia Seifner
Lydia Seifner
answered on Mar 27, 2018

It would be unlikely. Adoptions legally sever original blood ties, and set up new ones under the law. So if you adopt your grandson, legally he speaking he becomes your son. Talk to an attorney about your adoption options.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Adoption and Military Law for Missouri on
Q: My girlfriend is currently looking to get custody of her sister from her abusive mother, I'm doing research for her.

Currently my girlfriend is away at basic training for the army reserves. Once she gets back she is lookking to get custody of her sister from her abusive mother. I'm looking for where I need to start looking to do the research required so that when she returns she can start this process.... Read more »

Lydia Seifner
Lydia Seifner
answered on Feb 27, 2018

Your girlfriend will want to talk to an attorney local to her and her sister about seeking a child guardianship.

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