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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

It would depend on the facts of your case. Was the custody order out of a juvenile case? Were the parents awarded any visitation? Have they been visiting with your granddaughter? Have they been paying you child support? If the parents haven't had any relationship with your granddaughter... View More

Your question is unclear. Arkansas has the Revised Uniform Adoption Act and you should start by looking there. Arkansas Code Annotated § 9-9-215 fully explains the "effect of decree of adoption."

Specifically, A.C.A. § 9-9-215(a)(1) states in part that, "Except with... View More

As is so often the case in legal matters, it depends. Arkansas law, like that of many states, takes the obligation to serve a responding party quite seriously, and failure to serve can be a basis for reversal on appeal. However, Arkansas’ appellate courts are also strict about the circumstances... View More

It's called a guardianship and does require a Court action. You will do the divorce AND guardianship at the same time. Many Judges prefer two different actions. There is a lot going on in a guardianship. Many guardianships turn into adoption at some time. Parents often let the guardian (you)... View More

He contact attorneys to discuss filing an action to establish paternity.

In Arkansas, you can adopt your own child. You don't need someone else to adopt the child for you or with you. Seems odd but you basically follow the adoption statute; i.e., you must be over 18, of sound mind, have no felonies on your record, be able to care for the child and a few others that... View More

If a parent goes more than one year without seeing the child on a regular basis OR goes more than one year without paying any meaningful support, that parent's rights may be terminated. As such, your husband could adopt if:

He has a good relationship with the child for such duration he... View More

If your husband can successfully prove “abandonment” as defined in the Arkansas Code, the Court may grant a petition for adoption of his stepdaughter. You should consult an attorney knowledgeable in this area of law.

Sounds like you should pursue emancipation.

Until the DHS case is closed it is doubtful any other action will be considered. I understand you want to get the child out of DHS involvement but filing such an action will not help you in the DHS case. Typically you will have an attorney appointed in the DHS case. If so, you probably don't... View More

Bio dad must receive notice, at least, and it would be best to gain consent and a waiver. Since he has not had contact in so long, it is possible a judge would find it is in the children's' best interest to be adopted by stepfather, even if dad doesn't consent.

In Arkansas, if the parents of the child go more than one year without a stable relationship with the child OR go one year without paying significant support OR their rights have been removed, you should be able to adopt.

We need to have the documents where the mother lost her rights.... View More

The answer to your question is "yes." The issue is not where the child was BORN but where she LIVES right now.

An adoption severs all ties with the parent and their relatives. See Section (a)(1) below.

Ark. Code Ann. Section 9-9-215. Effect of decree of adoption.

(a) A final decree of adoption and an interlocutory decree of adoption which has become final, whether issued by a court of this... View More

The answer is "yes." In Arkansas it is called a single-parent adoption. It removes an errant father from the child's life. You may adopt your child provided:

1. You do not have any felonies on your record;

2. The father has gone more than one year without having a... View More

as per Arkansas adoption law if birth father abandoned the children, he cannot consent the adoption.

Typically, there is a new BC issued once you are adopted. If you are looking for your original BC, try the Arkansas Department of Human Services in Little Rock. You may also have to reopen your adoption case. It is sometimes difficult to reopen a case.

To answer your question, it was... View More

In Arkansas you will need the consent of the bio dad. Since he has not been in the child’s life and if his absence is voluntary then the court would most-likely hold that his consent is being withheld unreasonably and your husband should be able to adopt.

Make sure your husband has no... View More

Get a real lawyer. You should not have to wait 3 weeks. Your husband will have some trouble but the mother will have some real trouble saying dad abandoned the child.

Jim Hensley