Can you get legal aid for a lesbian couple to adopt a child that one of the couple is the birth mum

[2mummies]

Hi, we are a lesbian couple who 3 years ago had a baby 'together' by private arrangment (donor not been in contact since donating) we want the non birth mum to adopt and feel rather than try to do it our self through the courts (birth mum has developed a neurelogical condition where she can not sign her signiture), so we was wondering if we could possiably be entilted to legal aid, the non birth mum has had to give up work to care for the birth mum so we are on benefits at the moment.

Any advice would be really really appreciated.

[bednobs]

ARE YOU SUGGESTING THAT THE MUM WHO GAVE BIRTH TO HER IS GOING TO GIVE UP BEING THE MUM?

[bednobs]

sorry about caps - evil puppy strikes again!
Anyway, i'm not entirely sure you can adopt your daughter if the real mum wants to retain parental responsibility. Are you saying she wants to renounce her rights and you take them over, or would you both want them? can you actually adopt a child who already has a mum?

[ummmm]

Gay couples can adopt so I can't see why not.

[bednobs]

can they both adopt though?, you can actually, legally, have 2 mums?

[ummmm]

I think so. When a gay couple adopt they have the same legal rights as a straight couple. Or that would be discrimination.

[bednobs]

ok, i just wondered, For example, when a bloke wants to adopt the child of his new partner, the dad has to give permission i thought and give up their rights

[ummmm]

In that situation you're right, but they used a sperm donor so there is no father, as such.