Custody when father cannot be found

I am engaged to a woman whose 3-year-old son is living with her.
Although divorced, she's been unable to sort out custody as the father
has vanished and does not wish to be found.

Does anyone know if she has any options for gaining sole custody without
his consent? (as he cannot be found!) Or any sites that might be
useful. Struggling to find info on this!

Thanks.

I am engaged to a woman whose 3-year-old son is living with her.
Although divorced, she's been unable to sort out custody as the father
has vanished and does not wish to be found.

Does anyone know if she has any options for gaining sole custody without
his consent? (as he cannot be found!) Or any sites that might be
useful. Struggling to find info on this!

Sorry... should also mention this is in the United States.

What state are you in?

I would probably be easier to just find him, if he truely does not want
to be a part of the childs life, and he has some intelligence, he will
sign the rights away in a heartbeat.

If the father is on the birth certificate simply file abandonment charges
and then request parental rights to be terminated under that issue. The
courts can actually help you with most of that.

She is actually in the ideal situation for getting his right removed. I
know in Michigan only a period of 2 yrs has to pass before rights can be
removed under that situation.
(but only if a "step parent" or other responsible adult is there to pick up
as the 2nd "legal parent")



"James" wrote in message
...
I am engaged to a woman whose 3-year-old son is living with her. Although
divorced, she's been unable to sort out custody as the father has vanished
and does not wish to be found.

Does anyone know if she has any options for gaining sole custody without
his consent? (as he cannot be found!) Or any sites that might be useful.
Struggling to find info on this!

Thanks.