Hatrack River Forum: OT: Legal Eagles, bit of help? (stepparent adoption in Oklahoma)

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Posted by Boon (Member # 4646) on :

Long story short, my ex gave up his rights to my seven year old son recently. In his termination papers, he has the right to have it overturned if no adoption takes place within nine months.

My husband has been my son's only father for his entire life, and we've been talking about making it official for years. Now that it's a possibility, we simply can't afford $1500 for an attorney plus court costs. (Of course, if the ex would pay the back child support he accumulated up until the termination, this would be a non-issue...but that's a whole 'nother ball-o-wax!)

Needless to say, we need to get this done ASAP. I've called the Tulsa County court clerk here in OK to ask about whether an attorney is required and whether forms are available but she was distinctly unhelpful. Very frustrating.

Any ideas? Thanks.

Posted by fugu13 (Member # 2859) on :

Have you done a consultation with a good attorney about what the costs would be if you went through them and if you could do it yourself? I'd suggest asking some friends and colleagues if which attorneys they would recommend, then visiting a few of them. Any reputable attorney will have that conversation with you for free.

Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :

Try calling the Tulsa School of Law legal clinic.

If they can't help you, they should know who can.

Edit: Also, an attorney should give you a free consultation and an up front price for an uncontested adoption.

Dagonee

[ February 08, 2005, 07:50 PM: Message edited by: Dagonee ]

Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :

[Smile]

I went to school at TU.

Not in the Law school, of course.

Posted by Beren One Hand (Member # 3403) on :

You should contact the Oklahoma State Bar and see if there are any pro bono programs in your area.

You can also contact Oklahoma Lawyers for Children (405 23-CHILD) or Tulsa Lawyers for Children (918 585-1711) and see if anyone in their organization is interested in doing pro bono work.

If all else fails, try contacting the large law firms in your area and see if they have pro bono programs. Usually helping out with adoption is a very popular form of pro bono work for first year associates.

Good luck. [Smile]