A. B. v. Arkansas Social Services

In two cases interpreting the new adoption law we have taken the view that the law should be liberally interpreted so that the legal father cannot unreasonably block the adoption of his child.

In Pender v. McKee, 266 Ark. 18, 582 S.W. 2d 929 (1979), we held that the legal father who had not contributed any money to the support of his child for “at least ten months” forfeited his right to object to the adoption of his child. In Henson v. Money, 273 Ark. 203, 617 S.W. 2d 367 (1981), decided only weeks ago, we held the legal father forfeited his rights when he did not pay support payments for…