Stephen Bilkis Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jun 26, 2025

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this confusing and stressful situation. Questions about identity, adoption, and inheritance can be deeply personal and legally complex, especially when records appear inconsistent.

In New York, once an adoption is finalized, the adopted individual... View More

Your wife's ability to seek custody depends largely on the timing and status of the adoption.

If the adoption is finalized before your divorce, then both you and your wife will be legal parents of the child—regardless of biological connection. In that case, the family court would... View More

With those facts I downright beg you to get a lawyer involved, have you tried your church or some social groups for support?

DFCS may also have some guidance and may even have forms or a lawyer who can assist, its just that they are overworked and under-supported by the Gov so they are... View More

Contact a lawyer who is a member of the P.R. Bar, who practices family law. Other than lawyers in P.R. itself, you likely can find some Fla. lawyers who are members of the P.R. Bar by contacting the Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service, which you can find at Floridabar.org.

A biological father has a constitutional right to see his child, and that right can only be revoked through due process in an adoption proceeding, allowing him the opportunity to challenge it if he chooses. Therefore, he must be given notice of any action affecting his parental rights. For specific... View More

In order for the stepfather to adopt your child you would need to go through the proper steps to terminate the biological father's parental rights. Only then can the stepfather adopt, unless the biological father voluntarily terminates.

If you are not following the terms of the Court order, then it is possible that the other party will file a contempt and that the Court will find you in contempt.

However, even if the party files for contempt, the party requesting the contempt finding has to show that you are in willful... View More

You can ALWAYS call the police. ALWAYS.

If you are in danger you can ALWAYS reach out to Police, Fire and other State Agents as there are protections for you due to your age.

A teacher is another safe pathway, as they are trained how to deal with these issue and get the right... View More

The step parent adoption you are referencing requires the consent of both legal/biological parents, however the court can waive that requirement where it is alleged and proven that the non-consenting parent has abandoned the children, as that term is defined under Florida statues.

The... View More

Stephen Bilkis Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 25, 2025

I understand that this is likely a very emotional situation for you, especially after forming a strong bond with the child during the foster placement. In New York, however, the law gives significant weight to the rights of biological parents, particularly when those rights have not been terminated... View More

To answer this question specifically, we'd have to know more. Specifically:

1) The deed to the house matters. If we could see that, we'd know if your husband's estate is even involved. In other words, if you're listed as "joint tenant with rights of... View More

Gratia "Grace" P. Schoemakers Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 5, 2025

It depends. If your spouse left the house to only you in a will, no one other than you has a right to the house.

However if he left it in shares to multiple people under the will (including the child that he gave up for adoption), multiple people would have a right to it, including the... View More

First, it depends on the language in the deed. If you held the property as joint tenants with right of survivorship, you own 100% of the property without the need for probate. If you held the property as tenants in common, the laws of intestacy take over, and the biological daughter's adoption... View More

You are either consenting to the adoption or you are not. Once the child is adopted by the step-Dad, you will lose your parental rights and lose your right to make any demands including for visitation. If you don't want that to happen then you should contest the adoption. In some... View More

The short answer is no. A child cannot be adopted without a termination of BOTH parent's rights. However, a termination depending on the circumstances may not be that hard to obtain with abandonment being the easiest route under the Adoption statutes. It would be wise for you to consult an... View More

Michael J Stachowski Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Feb 13, 2025

The simple answer is yes The law in New York I. Parent child family Court proceedings is a person in need of Supervision or a PINS petition. The court does not have PINS jurisdiction over a 17 year old. Therefore no mechanism exists to supervise a 17 year old by his parents. Thus you can move... View More

The court may order termination of the parent-child relationship if the court finds by clear and convincing evidence:

(1) that the parent has:

(A) voluntarily left the child alone or in the possession of another not the parent and expressed an intent not to return;

(B)... View More

Danya Bundy Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Dec 25, 2024

If a child is believed to be a victim of abuse or neglect, the state may intervene and remove the child even temporarily until the threat can be more fully assessed. Parents who have been contacted by child welfare or who have had a child removed should contact a qualified juvenile deprived... View More

It would be irresponsible for any family law attorney to give you a suggested answer to your question without a whole lot more information, especially since you said that you live in Florida and presumably the grandchildren live in New Jersey.

My suggestion is that you schedule a... View More

Jennifer Setters Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Dec 9, 2024

Legal issues surround challenging the legitimacy of your son's adoption particularly in light of allegations of fraud, deception, lack of appropriate notice, and violations of due process rights. To properly negotiate this process, one need speak with a Nevada family law attorney versed in... View More