WeBuiltThePyramids

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Walter/Paige/Ralph #1: Having a family makes you vulnerable. But it can be a good thing too. {01-Sep-2015}

FoxPhile

TFTNT! I love that this thread has one of the best OPs on our board - especially the quotes.

WeBuiltThePyramids

This thread is probably my favorite thread on the board tbh. I just love this family so much.

And I know that we already knew Ralph wanted Walter to be his dad, but hearing him say it - more than once, while also emphasizing he knows Walter is good for Paige - just gave me no end of feels.

WriterFreak001

I gushed with happiness when Ralph admitted how much he's wanted Walter to be his dad. AND I LOVE how Ralph doesn't say "step dad," but actually "dad." It melts my heart.

WeBuiltThePyramids

Yep! Especially since when talking to Paige in 3.07, he used "step dad" in reference to the chance she might end up with Tim.

FoxPhile

Walter has always been, and always will be Ralph's dad, regardless of his relationship with Paige. But with Walter and Paige together and the three of them making a lovely family - that's 1000% nicer.

WeBuiltThePyramids

I ended up giffing the step dad vs dad thing.

I liked how Amber put it a year or so ago. "It's not like man swoops in and saves woman and child or vice versa. They're just a family unit that have finally found all of its people."

Earnie

In order for Walt to adopt Ralph doesn't Drew have to give up his rights but the fact he has not been around will help Walt's case and Ralph is old enough to tell the court what he wants

la villanelle

Add me please. They're one of the only ships im imvested in as a family too

FoxPhile

Courts are very strict about parental rights. Regardless of Ralph's wishes, or Drew's absence, Drew would have to give up his parental rights and consent to any formal adoption. If Drew consented, and Ralph was against it - the court would take that into consideration, but unless Drew consents, there's really no chance.

However - Drew has no say in how Ralph feels about Walter. It's apparent that Ralph will think of Walter as his dad once he sees that the relationship between Walter and his mother is solid.

You've been added, bandcandy! Welcome to the </scorpion> forum!

WeBuiltThePyramids

Exactly - Ralph would have called Tim his step dad. He will call Walter his dad and most people they come across wouldn't know it's legally any different.

Though once Ralph is 18, Walter could adopt him through Ralph's consent I believe, because Ralph is then a legal adult. I could be wrong about that but I have heard of people getting adopted as adults because they couldn't do it when they were minors.

FoxPhile

Yes, once Ralph is 18, Walter could adopt him based solely on Ralph's consent, without Drew - or Paige, for that matter - having any say. If either Walter or Ralph were married, their spouse(s) would have to give consent. If an adult is adopted by someone, their legal ties with their birth parent(s) are severed - except when one of the birth parents is married to the adopting parent.

It is sometimes possible to adopt a child without the parent's consent if you can get the court to terminate that parent's rights - usually because of abandonment or abuse. By most legal definitions, Drew has not committed abuse and since he is not the custodial parent, he can only be accused of abandonment if he fails to provide financial support or make any attempt at contact for an extended period of time.

Earnie

It is sad that courts tend to protect the rights of neglectful or abusive parents I can see if Drew were making an effort but I don't think he has seen Ralph since season 2

WeBuiltThePyramids

It's all about the birth certificate. If Paige had broken up with Drew and been dating someone else by the time Ralph was born, if that person signed the birth certificate he'd be the legal parent even though he wasn't biological.

I don't think Drew would have a problem relinquishing his parental rights honestly, though. I know I made him have a big problem in Serendipity but that was just for drama and to highlight the complexity of the situation.

FoxPhile

I've always thought Drew would be sort of crappy about it. Like he'd totally refuse and get all angry, and then he'd suddenly make a point of spending lots of time with Ralph - or calling all the time if he's not in town - for a few months, just to "prove" that he's Ralph's father.

I can also see Ralph catching on to this very quickly and telling Drew something along the lines of he can't force Ralph to accept him as a father.