I have a stepson from a marriage I am no longer in. I brought him up from the age of 1, he is now 9. (His biological father has never been on the scene) He sees me as his dad and i see him as my son.
My question is what can i do legally to have parental rights over him. I don’t think i can adopt him as I am no-longer married to his mother.
I want to make him legally mine so to speak so I have a say in his up-bringing and if anything happens to me he will inherit my stuff. His mother has agreed to me pursuing this
I know I can become his legal guardian but I do not get parental rights. What are my options?
2006-09-13 23:23:46 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
What a great guy you are! In this day and age where you see so many biological parents just giving up their children, and never wanting to see them.... a step-parent is being there, and wanting to see "his" child.. you should be commended.
Go to court. Tell them that you see this child as yours, and you want to see him regularly. Tell them that you will act as a father.. you will pay his mother child support, and you will be there when that boy needs you. They will give you what you want.. because they never see it.
Also, your son is old enough for them to ask questions too.. and if they ask him if he loves you and still wants to see you and he says Yes.. then there will be no problem
Good luck.. I wish there were more men in the world like you.
2006-09-14 01:14:39 · answer #1 · answered by Imani 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think you have any rights, you are not his biological father. Yes you can become a legal guardian, but that is a proceedure that the mother has to pursue, and the same for adoption. If you want to leave "stuff" to him in your will, do that. Write a will outlining what you want him to have in the event of your death. If however you remarry this will will become void and you will need to write another one.
2006-09-13 23:37:17 · answer #2 · answered by foxy miller 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the father has truly never been in the scene - no contact or support- then the court would deem that as abandonment and terminate his parental rights. After that adoption should be possible since the mother is on your side. Good luck to you and your son.
2006-09-14 00:56:46 · answer #3 · answered by pebble 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What a lovely man you are - these days, some biological fathers aren't interested in their own children!
I don't know the answer but if the mother is on your side, surely adoption must be a route you can look in to...
Good Luck and your 'son is very lucky to have you
2006-09-13 23:32:50 · answer #4 · answered by Trillyp 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The parent needs to grant you as legal guardian through a court of law, then you will have the same rights as a parent would.
2006-09-13 23:33:03 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
As far as inheritance goes just make sure you have legally binding will and you should have one anyway for all your kids when and if you have and more. When you were divorcing his mother you should of set up a legally binding visitation but maybe you can do that now before she meets someone else or changes her mind
2006-09-14 02:12:26 · answer #6 · answered by Big Daddy R 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you can adopt him. (FYI, Brad Pitt adopted Angelina's kids, and they weren't married). If the mother is agreeable, then do it. That's beautiful. So many men feel trapped after a break up by their own kids, and here are you wanted something special with this child. He is going to be thrilled. See a lawyer, at once! Congratulations, real Dad!
2006-09-13 23:33:12 · answer #7 · answered by just browsin 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tell you what mate, this young boy is lucky he has a good role model like you in his life.
I commend you.....
I am sorry i cannot give you any advice on the issue of adopting your boy, but with the mum permission i am sure you can write the boy into your will, and be a part of his upbringing without the legalities of it.
Good luck this kid is so lucky!! (although i am sure you also consider yourself to be lucky to have him!)
2006-09-13 23:38:21 · answer #8 · answered by EMA 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You absolutely have parental rights!!!! You took on the responsibility of raising him. You can still adopt him but you will also have to pay support, Just because he is not biologically yours means nothing these days
2006-09-13 23:36:29 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
that's often approximately 6 months once you have the approval already. Step-discern adoption frequently does not have as many hoops in contact - between different issues, the only history examine is on you, not the father. in many states, there is not any homestead assessment required via fact the child is already living with one discern.
2016-10-14 23:54:48 · answer #10 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋