my boyfriend has a 15 month old daughter which he has full custody over because she was taken away from the mother in the hospital. His daughter had drugs in her system when she was born and was immediately taken from the mother and went home with him (he was not in a relationship with the mother due to the drugs). After this the mother then signed over her rights to my boyrfriend. If me and my boyfriend were to get married and i wanted to adopt his daughter would the mother have any say so in me adopting the child since she signed rights over to him and also lost her through social services?
2007-11-26 18:33:44 · 4 answers · asked by hopeful 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
It depends on whether the mother's rights were terminated through the Courts through Social Services or if she just signed that your boyfriend could have sole custody, which is not the same a termination of her rights.
You would not be able to adopt the girl unless the mother's rights were terminated through the Courts and in that case, no notification or permission from her to adopt. If would be best if she were aware and agreed to the adoption (which also relieves her of any future financial obligation which is an incentive for her do so if she is still in the drug life, as the future care and financial burden becomes yours, even if you and your boyfriend get a divorce...the child would legally be your daughter).
However, if she went into rehab and cleaned up her act and objected at the time of the adoption if she hears about it or in the future, it could be a long, hard battle even then.
Best thing to do is for your boyfriend to contact the Social Services caseworker to find out what was signed, did it go through the Courts and then see a lawyer specializing in child custody/adoptions.
2007-11-26 20:35:35 · answer #1 · answered by bottleblondemama 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the mother signed her rights away (terminated her parental rights) then the baby is free of the mother, and you could adopt her.
2007-11-26 19:09:39 · answer #2 · answered by embroidery fan 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
She has no say about it at all. She has no rights anymore concerning your boyfriend's daughter. Even if she didn't sign over her rights she would have lost them anyway.
2007-11-26 18:44:21 · answer #3 · answered by hoppykit 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
yes you can if the father doesn't mind
2007-11-26 18:42:36 · answer #4 · answered by King Midas 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋