The applicant step-father brought a motion to dispense with the biological father's consent for the adoption of the child G.L.W. The biological father had been absent from the child's life for 8.5 years, provided no financial support, and demanded a fee for his consent.
The child, G.L.W., and her biological mother both consented to the adoption.
The court considered the child's best interests under sections 136 and 138 of the Child and Family Services Act, noting the child's special needs and anxiety related to having a different surname from her step-father and half-siblings.
The court found overwhelming advantages to granting the adoption and dispensing with the biological father's consent, concluding that it was in the child's best interests.
The motion was granted, and the adoption application was adjourned for final disposition after the appeal period.