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.
Expert: Peter C. Winkler, CSW Date: 11/3/2007 Subject: my soon to be steph dad adopting me
Question Hi, I'm Sam and I was wondering how long it might take a steph dad to adopt his steph daughter when the government cannot find the birth father and I haven seen my dad in over 10 years. I really want to my soon to be step dad to adopt me but I'm worried he wont be able to.
If you can't answere my question that's ok i was just wondering.
Thanks,
Sam
Answer Dear Sam:
I suspect that it will take a year or so to get adopted by your stepfather to be. After he marries your Mom, they should go to a lawyer who does adoptions to find out the steps that have to be taken to adopt you. Usually the process involves a social worker coming to your house to do what is called an "Adoption Home Study". The social worker will talk to you to make sure you want to be adopted and he or she will interview your mother and stepfather. The home study is a written report that will go to the judge who does the adoption. The court will also require that if he can be located, your birth father sign what is called a relinquishment of his parental rights. If he cannot be located, the court will need some evidence that an attempt was made to find him. The lawyer will help with that. Feel free to share this information with your Mom and future stepfather. It's nice that you want him to adopt you. It shows that you have a positive relationship and that he will treat you just like a birth daughter.
