AboutPeter C. Winkler, CSW Expertise I have experience with adoption subsidy, the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children and variety of other adoption related matters. I hope that I can be helpful to those who are considering adoption or would like to adopt a child.
Experience I am a social worker with an MSW and I have over thirty years of experience in family and children's services. I have worked as Director of adoption services and of the Interstate Compact in a large state agency. I have also provided direct services to children and families in a preventive services program. I currently prepare adoption studies for those who are adopting domestically or internationally.
Question I would like to know the steps on how my husband can adopt my daughter. Her biological father has and will never be in her life. So how would he go about doing that?
Answer Adoption laws and procedures vary by state, but in general, these are the steps.
-Identify a lawyer who usually does adoptions to represent you in court.
-The lawyer will file the request in court and you will need an adoption home study done that focuses on the adoptive father.
-Even though he hasn't been in the picture, the judge will probably require that you try to find the birthfather so that he can relinquish his rights. If he refuses, the court can terminate his rights if he has failed to provide support, visit your daughter, etc. If he can't be located, there are other procedures such as publishing legal notice, that needs to be followed.
The process is very difficult without the help of a lawyer and I strongly advise that you retain one to file paperwork and guide you through the process.
