adoption

[kelsey]

My o/h has applied to adopt my 2 children and I would like some advice or someone to talk to who has been through a step parent adoption.

Nikki

 

[Sarah&Braydon]

hey sorry i dont have any advice but i wish u both the best of luck hun and i think it is gr8

 

[tracyM]

We looked into it about 9 years ago but decided against it and changed Daniels name by deed poll instead. We went to see a family law solicitor.

 

[kelsey]

Thank you both for replying, we've thought about a change of name deed but have decided on the adoption as we want john to be seen as their dad in the eyes of the law and have all the responsibility that goes with it. The biological one has emigrated somewhere in the caribbean so obviously they dont see one another

Nikki

 

[Sarah&Braydon]

wot is this name deed thing?

 

[violet-glow]

Think its when you change your name by deed poll.

Thing with deed poll is when you change a name the other one is still there just kind of hidden.

Or are you asking what deed poll is?

 

[tracyM]

When we saw the solicitor, he gave us 3 options

1. Get a letter from 3 members of the community (doctor, vicar, council member etc) who had known Daniel before his name change. You can use the letter to get the name changed at school, doctors, hospitals, etc.

2. Change name by deed poll - you fill in an application form and get back a certificate you can use instead of the birth certificate. This way you can change your name on a passport, driving license etc

3. Legal adoption - 9 years ago it meant us BOTH adopting Daniel, going through all the checks a 'normal' adoption would have to go through. I didn't want to do it on principal - why should I have to adopt my own son. If we had gone through the adoption, it would mean OH would have legal responsibility for Daniel if I died, OH would be responsible for maintenance if we ever seperated and we wouldn't have to deal with the CSA re Daniels sperm donor.

 

[kelsey]

It's because they've changed the law that o/h is able to adopt as we are not married. I've had a phonecall off the courts disputing the attemps i've made to contact the biological one - he and his family emigrated without a word - i have no forwarding addy or phone number and no-one i've asked knows either. The judge must be a man - he wants me to sh*t miracles lol.
None of the biological ones family have ever been interested in the kids and johns parents are better than i could ever have imagined, even tho they live 300 miles away.

Nikki