So, it's been 3 years now since we started our Step-Parent adoption process in order to have my husband adopt my son.

I just get a call today from the lawyer that the GAL assigned to my son in NY claims we have not tried enough to track him (bio-dad) down. If I can't produce him in court, it basically will never happen.

We have put ads for the past three years in every paper, we've sent documentation to every address that he ever visited. The local police there have been searching for him for 2 and a half years for various criminal charges and can't find him, how am I supposed to find him?

Apparently, having multiple warrants for your arrest for drugs and violence means nothing to the GALs in NY.

Remember to all those who bring up the whole abandonment possibilities. HA! He hasn't seen his son in 5 years now, but apparently that isn't abandonment. Neither is not being able to pay a measly $25 a month child support.

I should have dumped my NY efforts and started this process here in TN where at least the courts understand basic logic in how to protect a child.

VENT AWAY!!!!

I know you must be frustrated. It seems to me that you have more than tried to find him. One thing I am wondering about is why, since you live in TN, were you not allowed to file for a change in jurisdiction from NY to TN before now. Since the child's residence is and has been TN for this long, the child's residence should be considered TN.

Good luck and I hope you can have a great Thanksgiving.


OSM

All of the original paperwork is in NY and his supervised visitation would still be in NY if he ever requested it. Basically, I was allowed to move by stating I would fly my child over to NY any time he wished to visit with him. Of course, I knew that would never need to be done, so I was completely ok with it.