DH and I met with a different lawyer last night. We liked this one much better and also his fee was way more reasonable. Anyway he said all good things pretty much telling us we have nothing to worry about. We have a good case and all should be ok. He did say it would be easiest if she went ahead and consented and signed the documents.

He said if she does not consent there will still he a hearing to terminate and adopt at the same time. If she shows they will stop the hearing and reschedule it. They will then appoint a lawyer for SS and she would have to get one. But he said he knows the lawyers and with her being absent for so long and having no contact we would still have a good case. I am not worried.

DH has decided to try to get her consent first. He is going to try to reach out to her via social media, as that is the only way either of us know how to get in contact with her. He will wait till we file all the paperwork and everything to contact her. The lawyer said it would not be a bad idea for him to reach out to her.

This will be interesting to say the least. I am not really worried about me finally being able to adopt SS. I am worried that it will drag out and take a long time if she is not just going to consent. If all goes smooth it will only take a couple months. The county I live in apparently they are not shy about terminating parental rights as long as there is proof or neglect and someone who is responsible and capable is willing to step up. At least I got that going for me. Maybe the courts are starting to realize more and more that biology is not all that maters when caring for a child.