Child Support and Adoption

[JassidyN]

I have been paying child support to the mother of my child and about 3 yrs ago she got married, about 2 yrs ago her husband decided that he wanted to adopt my daughter and change her last name to his, i was not present for the hearing and it was a done deal, now the mother has divorced the husband but my daughter still has his last name. Who is responsible for child support payments after the adoption and who is responsible for child support after the divorce. it seems that he wanted to be responsible for the child so he should have to pay right or wrong?

[Attorney Dawn Jackson]

If your ex’s spouse legally adopted your daughter, then he is considered her “legal” father and your rights as her father have been terminated. As a result, you would not be responsible for ongoing child support. The legal father will be held responsible for supporting the child financially after the divorce.