I would think one would definitely need a lawyer. Every state is different in how they handle step parent adoption. did your ex have his parental rights completely terminated or did he just allow you to have full custody? There is a big difference.

Go to

this is the site that we used to find our attorney. Most attorneys will not charge you for the initial consultation. Don’t use one that does charge.

Call your local courthouse and ask the same question. I’d be willing to bet the answer to your question differs by state or even county, so that might explain why there haven’t been any answers yet.

On another note, is it absolutely necessary for your current husband to adopt your child? If it’s not absolutely necessary, it’s probably not a good idea. People who are adopted lose basic human rights, like the right to their own family history, medical information, birth certificate. Things can be more difficult for them later on, like it might be harder for them to get a passport or medical insurance. Unless adoption is an absolute necessity it would be in your child’s best interests to go for a guardianship instead.