Where do I even start?

Hmmm, … it IS complicated. Will his father fight it? Or agree to the adoption?

Stepparent adoption

Certain things most likely need to be done even with a man who is "not in the picture." It will not be hard in the "can't legally be done" sense,...

Uh … the interstate compact expressly excludes stepparent adoptions. You don't say which state you're moving to, but the residence requirement in...

How can I terminate a fathers rights who hasn't seen or paid court ordered support in 12 years? How much does this cost, process

It would be between $2,100 and $2,500. What those above said is largely true, though the adoption code is O.C.G.A. 19-8-1 et seq. 15-11-94 is in...

Juli Wisotsky in your area would be best to help. (706) 543-4678.

Termination of parental rights

Good. Do it. Apply at your county's DFCS office for federal adoption assistance. That will likely at least cover the attorney fees to adopt...

I am 21 years old and my step dad has been raising me since I was 3. Would him adopting be a problem? Would we need a lawyer?

You could try to do it without a lawyer, but it requires a Superior Court petition and a judge's signature. The law takes changing legal...

Is special needs adoption free? what about adopting a relative?

Hmmm, this sounds familiar. The ICPC doesn't apply to relative adoptions. The tax credit, while certainly a big help, is a reimbursement, not a...

Can I legally adopt my niece?

Yes, you can. You would have custody during "the process." What is the bio-father's position on this?

How do we adopt our step-children?

The issues in your two situations are slightly different, and they require handling that may range from slightly to greatly different. I would...