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The Law Office of Cathy R. Cook | Cathy R. Cook
No, you have to be married for 6 months before you can begin adoption proceedings.
Answer Applies to: Ohio
Replied: 9/20/2011
Cody and Gonillo, LLP | Christine Gonilla
It is possible but it would probably be preferable if you were married.
Answer Applies to: Connecticut
Replied: 9/20/2011
Patricia C. Van Haren, Attorney at Law | Patricia Van Haren
Yes, your fiance may adopt your daughter prior to your marriage to him. As there are many procedures for a step-parent adoption, it may be in the best interests of your daughter to begin the proceedings prior to your marriage.
Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 9/20/2011
Ashman Law Office | Glen Edward Ashman
In Georgia, no, unless you want to cease being the legal mother.
Answer Applies to: Georgia
Replied: 9/20/2011
Law Office Of Jody A. Miller | Jody A. Miller
Your fiancee cannot adopt the child until after you are married.
Answer Applies to: Georgia
Replied: 9/19/2011
Donaldson Stewart, PC | Monica H. Donaldson Stewart
Your fiance cannot adopt your daughter before you are married. In fact, the court will likely not allow the adoption to become final until you've been married for a year. Once you marry, you can obtain the biological father's written consent (which is irrevocable) and proceed with the adoption (even if you have to wait quite some time for the adoption to become final).
Answer Applies to: Arizona
Replied: 9/19/2011
The Law Office of Kem Eyo, LLC | Kem Eyo
While it is possible, it is unlikely that the adoption would be awarded if you are not yet married. It would be advisable to wait until after the marriage has taken place.
Answer Applies to: Georgia
Replied: 9/19/2011
Gary Moore, Attorney at Law | Gary Moore
What you propose is possible but not so likely as it would be if you two were married.
Answer Applies to: New Jersey
Replied: 9/19/2011
Law & Mediation Office of Jeffrey L. Pollock, Esq. | Jeffrey Lawrence Pollock
It is possible. However, if your engagement falls through, then the child will be left with no father. It would be preferable to wait until you are actually married.
Answer Applies to: Pennsylvania
Replied: 9/19/2011
Warner Center Law Offices of Donald F. Conviser | Donald F. Conviser
It is possible that your fiance' can adopt your daughter before you marry him, especially if you and your daughter have been living with your fiance' for some period of time, but it would be better for your fiance' to adopt your daughter after you marry him, because the marriage demonstrate stability of his relationship with you and your daughter, and will be reflected in the Social Worker's Report to the Court.
Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 9/19/2011
John E. Kirchner, Attorney at Law | John Kirchner
No. He must qualify as a step-parent (based on marriage to you; usually Colorado courts require you to be married for at least a year before approving the step-parent adoption.) The father cannot "sign away his rights" except in connection with a termination of rights in connection with the adoption. As part of the adoption case, the court will terminate the bio-father's rights based on either his consent or involuntarily based upon finding abandonment and/or non support.
Answer Applies to: Colorado
Replied: 9/19/2011
Vincent J. Bernabei LLC | Vincent J. Bernabei
Yes. It is much easier to wait until you are married though.
Answer Applies to: Oregon
Replied: 9/19/2011
William C. Gosnell, Attorney at Law | William C. Gosnell
Not Possible, and I do not recommend this. If married and you two adults divorce then husband must pay child support after an adoption. But if unmarried and you split up the child is left out in the cold.
Answer Applies to: Tennessee
Replied: 9/19/2011
Law Office of Michael W. Bugni | Jay W. Neff
It would seem possible. However, it is non-standard enough that doing that sort of thing would make me nervous. I assume that it would make the court nervous as well. Therefore, if you are going to go ahead with something like that, I would be sure you are prepared to be very exact in meeting all of the requirements of such an adoption. Having said that, it might be a lot easier to wait until after the marriage and then do the adoption.
Answer Applies to: Washington
Replied: 9/19/2011
ROWE LAW FIRM | Jeffrey S. Wittenbrink
In Louisiana a step-parent adoption must be by a spouse of a party with custody. Your ex husband may sign a consent to adoption, but it will not be valid until it is confirmed by the adoption of your child after your marriage.
Answer Applies to: Louisiana
Replied: 9/19/2011
Hochman and Peppler, LLC | Thomas R. Peppler
The statute provides for a *step parent* adoption. There is no alternative listed in the statute. If the father is agreeable now, he should be agreeable after the marriage.
Answer Applies to: Florida
Replied: 9/19/2011
