step parent adoption

[jmac222]

I live in Georgia and have 4 year old twins. My husband of 3 1/2 years would like to adopt my boys seeing how he's been their father since they were 8 months old.

Their biological father hasn't seen them since they were 2 months old following an arrest for interference with custody that also involved some violence. We were never married and no paternity test or acknowlegement has been done. He hasn't bothered to contact me or anything. We went for a paternity test for child support at which time he said he wanted their names changed (they have my maiden name) and he also wanted to get custody of them. When we went outside of the child support meeting he told me that if I would stop the child support order then he would never bother me again. Given his violent history I felt this was best for my babies.

My question is that when we go for the step parent adoption will we have to locate him in order to do a paternity test or can we just do the newspaper thing for his last known address. (I don't know the address but I know the town) We would like to not have to deal with him at all seeing how he holds a huge grudge against me for having him arrested and has threatened to kill me on many occasions.

 

[jacksgal]

You need to contact an Attorney to find out what your State/County guidleines are for service. You will also have to prove you made effort to find him.

 

[jmac222]

I have contacted an attorney and he said we'll deal with that when we get to it is all he said. I just wanted to be prepared. My question was if we can't find him how does the process work? I haven't spoken to him in over 4 years. Can the adoption be done without the paternity test?

Everyone who posts on here knows they need to contact an attorney, this site is for advice. Surely, jacksgal there is more advice that people, including yourself, can give other than contact an attorney. Almost every response you give to posts include that statement.

My new question is this can anyone give me advice on my situation other than contact an attorney? I do realize that my attorney will be my best advice but I would like to get a heads up on the situation. Thanks.