In a Virginia stepparent adoption, both birth parents need to give consent in order for the adoption to move forward uncontested. But what if your new husband wants to adopt your child and you don’t know the whereabouts of the child’s birth father?
It’s unfortunate that sometimes a non-custodial parent will simply fall off the radar, cease contacting and supporting his children and not leave any forwarding address. This is known as abandonment.
If you find yourself in an abandonment situation, you and your new spouse might still be able to go through with the Virginia stepparent adoption.
If you can prove that your child’s birth father has not had contact with your child for 6 months or more, his parental rights may be terminated on the grounds of abandonment.
Despite this, he will still need to be notified about the potential stepparent adoption. Your Newport News family law attorney can assist you with tracking down your child’s father. You might also decide to take on the task yourself or enlist the services of a private investigator.
Abandonment is a painful thing for both you and your child. With reliable representation and patience, you should be well on your way to moving past abandonment, pursuing a Virginia stepparent adoption and building a new family.
Contacting a Newport News Family Law Attorney
Our Newport News family law attorneys care about your rights, the welfare and happiness of your children and your financial security. Let us use our unique experience to help you focus on your goals for the future and your family. To learn more about Virginia divorce, request a FREE copy of our divorce book for women in Virginia, or reserve your seat at our monthly divorce seminar – 757-425-5200.