What can prevent a father from objecting to an adoption?

A father's lack of relationship with the child can indeed prevent him from objecting to an adoption. In New York, a biological parent's consent is typically required for an adoption to proceed, but this consent can be dispensed with if the parent does not have a significant relationship with the child. Courts may determine that a father who has failed to establish or maintain a relationship over a specified period may not have the rights to object. This is often assessed through their level of involvement, communication, and support in the child's life.

In this context, other factors such as a written agreement with the mother may create certain expectations but do not necessarily eliminate the father's legal rights. Likewise, children's wishes, while they may be considered, do not hold absolute power in the adoption process, particularly if the father has not had a meaningful relationship with the child. Financial contributions, while important in supporting a child, do not impact the legal relationship in the same way that emotional or physical presence does. Therefore, a lack of relationship is a valid reason for the father to be unable to object to an adoption, as it signifies his absence in the child's life that affects his rights.