My fiance and I met with a couple local attorneys in the area, and I think we've decided to attempt to file a lawsuit to involuntarily terminate the rights of her son's biological father.

I understand that in order to do that, a lawsuit must be filed, with a hearing date. I also understand that the biological father has an opportunity to contest the termination at the hearing.

What happens if he doesn't even show up? What is the normal process of these hearings? Do people actually take the stand? Or is it just the lawyers and judge going over the facts of the case?

Thank you again for all the great info.

Your local attorney is the best source of information on this. The court may rule on the petition against the father if notice and service are in order and there is no compliance with the hearing request, may reset the hearing to a new date, may proceed with the petitioner's witnesses, then hold the case on the books to see if the father ever responds in a timely manner, then render a decision. It is hard to say as the procedures employed may vary from locale to locale and court to court.