help adoption the children I have been raising Florida

[SERENDIPITY1111]

I have had physical custody of these children for 15 years we are not related. The father has had no contact and the mother is willing to relinquish parental rights. I was told I need to file a petition to terminate parental rights pending adoption. Can I do this myself or do I need a lawyer? What about the father? I don't even know if he is on the birth certificates. The children 15 and 11 want to be legally adopted which is why we are doing this 15 years into it. What steps can I take? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

[Ohio "Step" Mom]

I would strongly suggest hiring an attorney for this as the whereabouts and the circumstance of the father is unknown. It's one thing when both of the parents are there and voluntarily signing over rights but quite another when only one is there and ready to do it. You may not even be dealing with one father. There are no guarantees no matter what the mother is telling you.

[SERENDIPITY1111]

Thank you for responding. I will make an appointment with an attorney. Does anyone know of someone they can recommend? In South Florida or Greenville South Carolina.

Thank you again

[xena]

Thank you for responding. I will make an appointment with an attorney. Does anyone know of someone they can recommend? In South Florida or Greenville South Carolina.

Thank you again

Are the children living in SC, or in FL?

If the children live in Florida, you can find an attorney by calling the Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service at 1-800-342-8011.

If the children live in SC, you can call the Greenville Bar to get a referral.

Either way, you will definately need an attorney to handle this since the father is unknown. You will also need to file in whatever state the children live in, even if the mother is in another state.