Putative Father Registry and Paternity Laws

By Sara Pitcher Cordell & Cordell Men’s Divorce Lawyer Some states require a putative father to submit his information to a database – a putative father registry – to preserve some of his rights as the father of the child. A putative father is a man who may be a …

Enforcing A Notarized Agreement That Was Never Filed

Question: The mother of my now adult son and I agreed on the termination of my parental rights in order for her husband to adopt him. We had the agreement notarized, witnessed and prepared, but she never filed the original document with the court. Can I still ask the court …

Why Am I Paying Child Support After My Child Was Adopted?

Question: I was paying child support for a child I never met up until the time he was legally adopted by the child’s mother’s new husband. At that point, I stopped paying child support believing my obligation ended once the child was adopted. However, I received a letter saying I …

Child Custody Laws: Adoptions and Divorce

Question: My wife and I recently finalized the adoption of our daughter, though it appears we are headed for divorce so I would like information on child custody laws. She informed me she lied numerous times on the adoption application and during the home visits from a social worker. Could …

Adoptions and Post-Nuptial Agreements

Question: My wife and I are disagreeing about when we should have kids. We are recently married and I do not want kids yet. She says she understands but I am not sure she will stop trying to get pregnant. Is it possible for both of us to sign a …

Is A Pregnant Woman Required To Inform The Father?

Question: If a woman becomes pregnant, is there a paternity law that requires her to inform the child’s biological father? I suspect my ex-girlfriend is pregnant with my child, and I would like to reach a child custody agreement with her. But she has never confirmed her pregnancy and is …

Getting a divorce during the adoption process

Question: I am in the process of adopting my wife’s child since the child’s biological father is terminating his parental rights. However, my wife now wants to divorce me. The adoption paperwork has not gone to the judge yet. Will this adoption still go through even though we are now …

Divorce After Adoption

By Jill A. Duffy Attorney, Cordell & Cordell The decision to adopt a child give the child what you hope will be a stable, loving environment to grow up in is an honorable one. Couples rarely adopt children with plans to divorce. But as we know, divorce happens. After an …

How do stepparent adoptions work?

Question: It was recently determined that I am the biological father of a child I have never met. At that time, I was also ordered to pay back child support from the time the child was born until now. The child’s stepfather wants to adopt him, which is fine with …

Divorce During Adoption

By Jill A. Duffy Attorney, Cordell & Cordell Divorce during adoption does not have to end the adoption, but it can be an obstacle that needs careful planning and handling. There are several types of adoption, and how a divorce effects the adoption will depend on the rights of the …