ATT: those who married FSUwomen with children

[JohnG]

I want to direct this question to those of you who, like myself, married FSU women who already had children. Did any of you either legally change the child's last name to your own and / or adopt your wife's child?

I am interested in what the process was, from permissions from her ex, to the filing of papers here. What were the advantages/disadvantages of doing so?

Thanks,

john

[Stevo]

... in response to ATT: those who married FSUwomen with chi..., posted by JohnG on Apr 30, 2003

child's last name for legal purposes (like EAD/SSN/Green card/etc. But for school, just changed it to mine so she wouldn't feel 'out of place' and would have same last name as Mom.

Plan to adopt pretty soon, and then will get her last name changed to mine. Adoption is controlled by your state regulations...check those out.

[tbirdjoy]

... in response to Did not legally change..., posted by Stevo on Apr 30, 2003

I don't know how old your step child is but once you adopt her you're on the hook for child support, if there is a divorce, until she's 18.  Something to really think about.  If it were me I'd wait until she was 18 and then adopt her.  Just food for thought Stevo.

Mark

[JohnG]

... in response to Re: Did not legally change..., posted by tbirdjoy on Apr 30, 2003

for ten years to both the wife and their children? I seem to remember something about that in the AOS papers...

[tbirdjoy]

... in response to aren't we on the hook anyway..., posted by JohnG on May 1, 2003

Naw that 10 year AOS crap only applies if they apply for federal or state assistance. The chances on that are pretty slim.  All the RW/UW I know who have gotten divorced from their AM are pretty hard working and have jobs. Also I've never known a RW/UW how didn't get a boyfriend who helps them or they get remarried fairly quickly. Lets face it they don't have much of a problem attracting men.  However if you adopt their kids they got you by the short hairs regardless of how much money they're making or even if they remarry. That kid is legally yours and your fiancially responsable until they turn 18.

Mark

[Alfred]

... in response to Re: aren't we on the hook anyway..., posted by tbirdjoy on May 1, 2003

A lawyer specializing in divorce law will be familiar the legalities of adoption when it comes to divorce etc.  However, he/she may not be familiar with the legalities of imigration when it comes to divorce.  What they don't know to ask for, you need not offer. (I'm not saying that children should not be supported, just that her lawyer might not know enough to ask for it.)

[T P Cornholio]

... in response to ATT: those who married FSUwomen with chi..., posted by JohnG on Apr 30, 2003

start with this thread (archive 220):

http://www.planet-love.com/wwwboard/russian/archives/display.php?archive=000220&id=87174