all my children were born in new jersey. we now live in florida. are laws different for each state? and how can i go about starting the process
2007-02-15 07:44:32 · 8 answers · asked by tjddat 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
Good luck. Its not cheap or easy, FL sucks even worse!
2007-02-15 07:48:38 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Step parent adoptions, first of all, have to be initiated by the step-parent. It is he who will petition the courts. As for the "inexpensive" part.....filing papers with the court is never cheap....other than hiring an attorney (which as we know is never "inexpensive") you can use a paralegal service (look in your yellowpages) or you can do the paperwork yourself.
Go to your local courthouse, the family court section, and get the packet (this will be free) from them. They cannot answer your legal questions, but most of the time they have a service (you will have to make an appointment) where they will help you fill the paperwork out and also answer general legal questions.
As to the "hassel" part....that depends on your childrens father. If you know where he is, that's easy. Call him and let him know of your intent, if he agrees, you can send all court documents directly to him to have him served.
If you do not know where he is, you have to notify him in the last place you knew he was....either by mail, or at the very least, through the local newspaper. New Jersey law, or whatever state he lives in, is the state you need to go through, as far as their requirements for notification.
Good luck to you.
PS. When filing paperwork you do on your own with the court, you have to (normally) pay the fees up front, but be sure to ask them for the application to defer fees. They will review your financial situation, and make their determination.
2007-02-15 07:52:17 · answer #2 · answered by salemgirl1972 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I live in Florida and I'm going thou the same thing right now. From what I understand you have to go to the Clerk of the Circuit Court to get the paper work that you have to fill out. The fee to file that paper work (at least for one child) is something like $297 (that's why we haven't filed yet). From there you'd go to court and I'm not sure how that all works. If you need to have the birth certificate(ie: your kids last names) then you have to have it amended and that's another 200 and something to have that done.
2007-02-15 08:15:50 · answer #3 · answered by jenpoesavon 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In IL all you have to do is file a petition, put a notice in the paper and then go to court. Check you local court house they should be able to help you or point you in the right direction.
2007-02-15 07:50:10 · answer #4 · answered by ctntc03 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The father of the kids has to terminate his parental rights first and that's done through the courts. After that, you will then need to talk to a lawyer
2007-02-16 01:00:26 · answer #5 · answered by KathyS 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Contact your local County Clerk. He/She will be able to get you on the right track. You dont need an Attorney unless of course, the children's father hasnt given up his rights. Then you have to fight for that one. Good luck and Congrats on the new marriage.
2007-02-15 07:51:23 · answer #6 · answered by Mum to 2 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there is no cheap way to do it is the father in there life? you can run a ad in your local news paper looking for him for 30 days if no answer it will be a litlle cheaper then making him sign the papers i have checked in to it before
2007-02-15 07:51:44 · answer #7 · answered by NIKKI 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you will need a lawyer for all that and they can tell you where to start.
2007-02-15 07:47:21 · answer #8 · answered by redpeach_mi 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋