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 my wife and i got married last year, our daughter is 20 months and we are expecting our son this august. my daughters "biological father" has had no contact, paid no support (we did not pursue) and not tried to contact us in any way for well over a year and before that it was my wife who took her to see him. both my wife and i wish for him to be completely out of the picture and for me to be her only father. we don't have the finances to pay a lawyer for adoption. is there any way to get this done at little or no cost?
thanking you in advance,
Jesse Dodson
Answer Jesse-You usually need to hire a lawyer to do a step-parent adoption and you also need an adoption home study done by a social worker. Sometimes law schools have "law clinics" that will offer legal services at no cost. I would check with nearby law schools. A social worker may also be willing to do a home study for free or at least at reduced costs. There is a social worker website: www.helpstartshere.org.
