How can I get physical custody of my daughter?

How can I get legal custody over my daughter?

• I want legal custody over my daughter. Her biological father has not been around while I was pregnant and after she was born. I had then met my husband and he has been there for her since she was 3 months. Her biological has dui and misdemeanor. He is incapable of taking care of her. He has very young women around and has friends who are on drugs that I believe come around when she does go over. When she does visit he is hardly around and his parents take care of her the majority of the time. He does however pay child support since it has to be garnished from his check. My husband has taken care of her since 3 months and has provided her with support. She currently has my maiden name and I want to get that changed but in the state of Washington I have to get her biological fathers approval. (Which i do not agree with) I just want to know can I do to help me win a case to have full custody and have my husband legally adopt my daughter. Should I drop child support so it looks better on me? I just need information on what can help me so I don't have to get his permission on any legal advice. Thank you.

• Answer:

  Talk to your lawyer, it sounds like you do have a good shot at full custody. You don't need to drop child support, he's still obligated to support his child even if he isn't fit to care for her directly. But you could see if he would sign over his rights, then you could cut him out of your life and your new husband could legally adopt her.