Cases where the biological father of a child wants to keep it and the mother does not can be emotional, difficult, and legally complicated. If the mother of your child chooses to put the baby up for adoption, you will only have a short window of time to act to claim custody and assert your rights as a parent. It is, however, possible for unmarried fathers to assume custody of their children and halt an adoption, though you will likely need the help of a skilled custody attorney to navigate the legal system in time.
Acting Quickly
Once a child has been adopted, there is typically little the biological father can do to reverse the process. Because of this, you will need to be aware of the mother's intentions before the adoption takes place to have any real chance of stopping it. In some cases, you may be able to reach an agreement with the mother outside of court, but you should still have a custody attorney on hand to iron out the paperwork. In other cases, the mother will be less cooperative, and you will need to fight for your custodial rights.
Proving Paternity
The first step in blocking an adoption process is to prove beyond a doubt that you are in fact the father of the child in question. This is usually fair simple and quick, thanks to modern paternity testing. Once you have a legitimate legal claim to the child, your case can move forward more strongly.
Demonstrating Reliability
It takes more than just genetics to be a parent to a child, however. In all likelihood, the court will want to see evidence that you are fully committed to raising your child and prepared for the decades of responsibility it entails. This may involve documenting your income and current living situation, and you may also be expected to help pay for pregnancy-related expenses as your child grows and enters the world. Speak to your lawyer about ways you can show your dedication and capability as a potential father.
Filing the Right Paperwork
Even the most airtight case can be sunk without the right protocol to match it. Given the time-sensitive nature of blocking an adoption, you will need to file all of the right paperwork correctly within a relatively narrow time frame. This is where an attorney can become invaluable, guiding you through each step and ensuring that all of your legal requirements are met on time. If you are being faced with losing your child and aren't sure where to turn, call an attorney like Madison Law Firm PLLC to learn your options and begin putting your case together.
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