Get free answers to your Adoption legal questions from lawyers in your area.
I got pregnant at 16 with my oldest son. His bio father was high on drugs and refused to be in his life and isn’t on the birth certificate. He’s been an in and out father until he was 22 months. He will be 8 in September and his sperm donor is trying to come back in his life but barely. My sons... View More 
answered on May 2, 2024
You will need to contact an attorney that handles step-parent adoptions. You will have to file a petition in the county where you live, a guardian ad litem may be appointed and a home study may be necessary in order for the Court to grant your petition for step-parent adoption. You and your... View More
Because my parents r not supportive or the nicest so is there anyway that legally in Missouri I can move out? If it helps at all I am adopted.
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answered on Nov 24, 2023
In Missouri, the legal age of majority, when you can decide where to live independently, is 18. However, given your circumstances, there are a few options you might consider.
Firstly, if you're facing an unsupportive or harmful environment at home, you could explore the option of... View More
answered on Sep 27, 2023
No, and in some instances, they may be legally prohibited from doing so.
answered on Jun 8, 2023
With the assistance of an experienced family law attorney, a stepparent adoption is usually quick and easy, especially since her biological father is dead.
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... View More
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.
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... View More
answered on Feb 21, 2021
She can file a petition for emancipation. You can consider filing for guardianship of your sister as well.
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
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... View More
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... View More
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.
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... View More
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... View More
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.
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.
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.
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)... View More
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.
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.
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.
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... View More
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... View More
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.
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.
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... View More
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... View More
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... View More
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.
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... View More
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... View More
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... View More
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... View More
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