Lesbian Second Parent Adoption?: My girlfriend and I first started dating just over three years ago. We broke up around November 2011 and a few months later she told me she was pregnant. We got back together before the baby(our son) was born in August and have been together since. Our son's biological father has not been in the picture or interested at all since my girlfriend was only a few months pregnant and he is not on the birth certificate. However, my girlfriend is on government assistance and the state is required to seek out the biological father for child support and they recently found him. I believe this makes him the legal father? Is this going to cause problems for me to become a legal parent to my son? Where do I even start? Also, we are not legally partners. Does this change things? Any help is appreciated.
Tara’s answer: The biological father's rights need to be terminated in order for you to adopt as a second parent. If the biological father consents, it can be done in a single proceeding. If he will not sign a consent, then you will need to formally terminate his rights & then file a second parent adoption. If you and your partner are registered domestic partners in Nevada, most family court judges in Las Vegas will waive the home study requirement when you file the second parent adoption, which can save thousands of dollars in expense.
What are my options when a credit bureau re-adds disputed info a year later after they stated in writing that it was removed?: Utility company added collections to my credit report. I disputed to Experian and they "confirmed" and added new disputed info... an apartment addy tied to utility. I then successfully proved to the utility company that I was an entirely different person although had the same name as debtor. Company did not even acknowledge, but played stupid as if I had never existed in their system. Derogatory info was withdrawn in second attempt to dispute with Experian as letter was received stating that disputed collections AND address were removed from my credit report. One year later I check Experian and disputed addy is listed again. The guy is apparently a sleazeball as he skipped out on rent and somehow apartment management has no info on him other than a name. Just don't want any more surprises.
Tara’s answer: You should consult with a consumer protection attorney. Save all correspondence & envelopes and have an attorney review for possible Fair Credit Reporting Act Violations and/or other consumer rights laws.
NV Attorney to answer Please...Can HOA fees and collections be included in Bankruptcy in NV: I was out of work on Medical leave for over a year and fell behind in my HOA fees and they sent my account to collections but I cant get any straight answers from the Collection company other I have to pay them over $3000 in collection fees for a $400 debt. I have appealed and was given a higher bill after the appeal. I tried to set up payment arrangements but have had no response. They have threaten me with foreclosure. I Have an FHA backed loan which protects me from foreclosure but Im not sure if it protects against this type of foreclosure. I have a lot of medical debt as well so I was thinking of filing BK but I need to know if it would also take care of my HOA issue
Tara’s answer:
A chapter 13 bankruptcy would allow you to catch up on the HOA & reorganize your debt. It also gives you the protection of the automatic stay to stop collection & foreclosure activities. It also forces the HOA/collection agency to prove up the alleged debt .
Make sure to collect all of your medical bills when going to meet with a bankruptcy attorney, often there is a lengthy delay for medical debts to show on a credit report & occasionally they are never reported, so if you only rely on a credit report you may not capture all of your creditors in your schedules.
Keep in mind you must have regular income to get a chapter 13 plan confirmed, so while the consensus may be a 13 would achieve your goal, there are some other factors that also have to fall into play for a 13 to really work for you. There are many other issues & disclosures that need to happen before you make a decision about bankruptcy, you should consult with an attorney to have a thorough analysis.