1. The New Hampshire Supreme Court ruled in the case of In re J.P. that the biological father must be notified of an adoption petition.
2. According to RSA 170-B:6, notice of an adoption petition must be given to a person providing financial support to the birth mother or the child and holding himself out as the child’s father.
3. The notice requirement applies even if the mother’s parental rights have not been surrendered or terminated. – The biological father was not provided notice of the adoption.
– The probate court found that the biological father had a father-son relationship with the child, had regular visits, and paid monthly support to the mother.
– The probate court ruled that the father was entitled to notice of the adoption.
– The probate court awarded the father fees and costs incurred in preparing for the case.
– The New Hampshire Supreme Court affirmed the probate court’s order with the exception of the award of fees and costs related to genetic testing.
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