What are the laws for relinquishment of parental rights and step-parent adoption in South Carolina?
466991
State laws on stepparent adoptions vary. Most States have a streamlined process for adoptions by stepparents whereby the judge hearing the adoption petition has the ability to dispense with the requirement in State laws for an adoption home study. Some States, however, will not approve a stepparent adoption unless the custodial parent has been married to the stepparent for 1 year or longer.\n\nWhen a stepparent wishes to adopt a stepchild, the child's parents (the stepparent's spouse and the noncustodial or absent parent) are usually both required to consent to that adoption. In consenting to an adoption, the noncustodial parent relinquishes all parental rights and responsibilities, including child support. If the noncustodial parent objects to the proposed adoption and refuses to consent to it, State laws may prevent the adoption from proceeding.\n\nSome State adoption laws specify special circumstances under which the noncustodial parent's consent is not required. Other States have made special provisions in their adoption laws to allow stepparent adoptions to occur, even over the objections of the noncustodial parent, in cases where the noncustodial parent has failed to maintain communication with the child for a specified period of time.\n\n\nHere's a link to more info about stepparent adoption\nhttp://naic.acf.hhs.gov/pubs/f_step.cfm\n\nHere is a link to search statutes by state for issues related to child adoption. Results will provide summaries of State statutes (and full text of laws, in some cases).\nhttp://naic.acf.hhs.gov/general/legal/statutes/search/index.cfm
455246
Tennessee Code : TITLE 36 DOMESTIC RELATIONS : CHAPTER 1 ADOPTION : PART 1 GENERAL PROVISIONS : 36-1-113. Termination of parental rights\nTennessee Code : TITLE 37 JUVENILES : CHAPTER 1 JUVENILE COURTS AND PROCEEDINGS : PART 1 GENERAL PROVISIONS : 37-1-102. Chapter definitions. \n\nhttp://198.187.128.12/tennessee/lpext.dll?f=templates&fn=fs-main.htm&2.0\n\nfor general u.s. laws\n \nhttp://usmarriagelaws.com/search/united_states/emancipation_of_minors/index.shtml
114719
The father is still the father.  The minor keeps his father's name and the step father cannot adopt the child unless the father gives up (or is ordered by the court to give up) his parental rights.
698031
The court will mandate a paternity test, if parenthood is in question.\n\nAlso, if she is receiving any type of state aid for the child, they too, will require a paternity test.\n\nYour brother-in-law needs to get in touch with someone who can give him some good and proper advice in regards to this matter; that follow the laws of the state you live in. Have him call the friend of the court for starters.
1136888
It will never automatically be considered abondonment without you petitioning the court to terminate the other parent's parental rights.  You should contact a Virginia attorney about this.  As with every state, the paramount concern is the 'best interests of the child'  \n\nStatute: §16.2-283(A), (B)-(E), (G)\n\nGrounds:  Abandonment or extreme parental disinterest, abuse/neglect, mental illness or deficiency, alcohol or drug induced incapacity, felony conviction/incarceration, failure of reasonable efforts, sexual abuse, abuse/neglect or loss of rights of another child, failure to maintain contact, failure to provide support, child judged in need of services/dependent, child’s best interest, child in care 15 of 22 months (or less), felony assault of child or sibling, murder/manslaughter of sibling child, voluntary relinquishment, identity or location of parent unknown, aggravated circumstances.
303860
I am from Kansas.\n\nMy very best friend and cousin were adopted and I have a lot of passion for this subject. Below I have listed the web site for each state laws or contacts for each state. I hope it helps. Good Luck!
1180479
I'm a former police officer turned attorney in Indiana. I don't know if this will help or not.\n\nWere the two of you ever married? If yes, then he may have an equal right to the child. It all depends on the law in Tennessee. \n\nWhy are the papers not drawn up yet? What did they state? You should've had at least a basic knowledge of what they were suppossed to say. Were they done locally? If so, go to the court that is working on them, and see if you can get a copy directly from them. \n\nAs a police office we never got involved in custody disputes. It was not our job to resolve civil disputes. Most people never realize this, but police usually have no power over civil law matters; only criminal. I would contact your local law enforcement and ask to speak to an officer. Ask what their policy is regarding these type of disputes. We usually left the child with whoever had custody at that time as we had no power to determine custody. \n\nI wish you the best of luck.
1123300
If the biologcial father has not been in her life since she was 2 years old,  then I am guessing that he has never paid child support either.  I do not know how things work in your state,  but look into filing for child support through the courts.  Put the locating on THEM.  Once he is located he will have to come up with the back child support or face jail.  The option of terminating rights could be presented to him at that time.  (Kind of like sign here and get out of jail free).  That is how my father had to do when it came to adopting my sister.  You would be surprised how quickly they sign to stay free.
909024
Depends on the state. In South Carolina, the child can leave without permission at 16, but cannot be forced out. At 18, the child can be forced out. Ask your local social services.
142111
They can give up parental rights.
181863
File a petition with the court to relinquish your parental rights.\nThat dosen't sound like a good idea though.
845048
well just sign all rights over to the mother if your trying to get off scott free with no child support well you can't unless you give your kid up for adoption
605698
honey, here's some resources, but this is serious legal stuff & noone who is here unless they are a lawyer specializing in family law in your particular state can help you....you are really going to have to seek true legal help from a professional.\nbest of luck for you & my thoughts will be of you\n\n♀ ♀ ♀ ♀ ♀ ♀ ♀ ♀ ♀ ♀ ♀ ♀ ♀ ♀ ♀ ♀ ♀ ♀ ♀ ♀
665197
I am an adoptive parent and a step-parent. \n\nState laws on stepparent adoptions vary. Most States have a streamlined process for adoptions by stepparents whereby the judge hearing the adoption petition has the ability to dispense with the requirement in State laws for an adoption home study. Some States, however, will not approve a stepparent adoption unless the custodial parent has been married to the stepparent for 1 year or longer.\n\n\nHere's a link to more info about stepparent adoption\nhttp://naic.acf.hhs.gov/pubs/f_step.cfm\n\nHere is a link to search statutes by state for issues related to child adoption. Results will provide summaries of State statutes (and full text of laws, in some cases).\nhttp://naic.acf.hhs.gov/general/legal/statutes/search/index.cfm\n\n\nBest wishes and God bless.
712791
Those are grounds for termination of parental rights in New Mexico.  Here's a chart to begin with:\n\nhttp://www.deltabravo.net/custody/termNM.php\n\nAnd here's the same general thing in non-chart form:\n\nhttp://library.adoption.com/termination-of-parental-rights/grounds-for-termination-of-parental-rights-new-mexico/article/8613/1.html
464734
laws very from state to state. i don't think you can collect support after the child was adopted because the father would have to give up his rights. when he did that he relieves his self of past payments due. most men give up there rights as a father to keep from paying child support. but i would check w/ a lawyer to be on the safe side.
434851
there's one famous case you may want to read about.\nhttp://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_1571037.html?menu=\n\n"A Swedish man who donated sperm to a lesbian couple has been ordered to pay child support for their three children."\n\nthe debate is who's estate is held responsible for the child's welfare. most states will look first to the biological father. Meaning if said mother at a latter date files for welfare it is possible that state could come back and sue for support...\n\nthere have been many cases where contractual custody was over turned in favor of a biological parent. The Supreme Court has already ruled, "There can be no binding contract that takes Presidents over a biological parents rights".\nin short there may not be any legal document of any type that could shield you in this case.\n\nPersonally I wouldn't father a child and not know day by day what happens to my kid. I wouldn't do it...