What Is The Process For Changing My Child’s Last Name?

Question: I am in the process of adopting my child and am not sure how to proceed with changing his last name. I thought this was done automatically through the court system, but I guess I was wrong. What do I need to do now?

What Unmarried Dads Need To Know To Protect Their Parental Rights

Dads often face an uphill battle when it comes to family law issues. The situation is even tougher for unmarried fathers. A recent case in point comes from Wisconsin. Nearly six months ago, James Wolfe’s son was snatched away from him by the toddler’s mother, who disappeared with the child to Georgia …

6 Things Birth Dads Should Know About The Adoption Process

Throughout history, fathers have frequently been cast aside as an overlooked parent when it comes to family matters. That traditionally has held true in the adoption process. Consider the concept of the adoption triad. This is the concept of a triangle that exists during adoptions with the adoptee in one …

DadsDivorce Live: A Father’s Fight To Stop His Child’s Adoption

Christopher Emanuel faced every unmarried father’s worst fear when he nearly lost his daughter to the adoption system despite his wishes. Fortunately, Emanuel was able to regain custody because he registered with South Carolina’s putative-father registry. Thirty-three states have a putative-father registry, which enables a man to declare himself as …

Adoption System Nearly Robs Father Of Daughter

Recently, the Atlantic published a captivating story written by Syracuse University law professor Kevin Noble Maillard about the child custody case of Christopher Emanuel. The story exposes how the adoption system can potentially rob a caring and loving father of all his parental rights before he even knows what hit …

Vacating Adoption In Cases Of Abuse

Question: My children are adopted by my soon-to-be ex-wife and are afraid of her. She rarely has anything to do with them since she abandoned us last year and has been verbally and mentally abusive to all of us. Since she is not the biological mother, can we vacate the …

Legal Guardianship Over The Kids Without Consent From One Of The Parents

Question: My wife has children from a previous marriage that I do not have “legal guardianship” over. The biological father is out of the picture and I am the only dad they have known. The problem is when it comes to getting something “legal,” such as a passport, we need …

How Do I Find Out If My Child Was Adopted By Another Man?

Question: I believe my ex-wife’s new husband has adopted my child without my knowledge, yet I continue to pay child support. How do I find out if my child was adopted?

Protecting Unwed Fathers Rights Before Birth Of Child

Question: My ex-girlfriend is pregnant and I believe I am the biological father. However, she is threatening to completely shut me out of the child’s life. As an unwed father, how can I ensure she lists me as the father on the birth certificate or at least allows me a …

Revoking An Adoption If My Ex Won’t Let Me See The Child

Question: I adopted my ex-wife’s daughter before we were divorced and was ordered to pay child support, but now I’m curious about how to revoke an adoption. Since the divorce, my ex-wife has moved the child out of state, allowed me little contact with her, and allows my adopted stepdaughter …