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After the intervention of the Public Defender's Office of the State of the Judiciary recognized the existence of a socio-affective bond between  Ravel and his stepfather, farmer José  . With this decision, transcends the condition of a simple stepson, adopting his stepfather's surname and obtaining the same rights as a biological heir, in a legal reflection of what affection already established. His birth record will now include the names of two parents: his biological father, with whom he has lost contact, and his affective father, with whom he has lived for seven years.

 

Since 2017,  has been a partner with Teresa Cristina Nunes de Sousa, Angelo's mother, and entered the boy's life when he was just four years old. expresses his joy at the achievement: "Me also being recognized as his father was something that no one believed could happen. But it happened. And I'm very happy" , he celebrates. He adds: "The heart is calmer. Now it's time to enter the new document."

 

He recalls that the initiative for this change came from  himself, whose story gained notoriety when, at the age of eight, he sent a letter to a radio station, addressed to a judge in  expressing his desire to adopt his stepfather's surname. "It was always my dream to have his surname on my document because father is the one who raises. And he is my father. So, this happening is a great joy. I'm feeling happy. Very happy", declares the young man with enthusiasm .

 

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Child writes letter to judge and asks to have stepfather's name

 

 

Letter written by the boy. (Image: Reproduction)

Search for biological father

 

After reaching the world on the airwaves, the story ended up at the offices of the Public Defender's Office, which has been providing legal assistance to the family since the beginning of the process, in June 2021. There were, therefore, two years and eight months of waiting between the beginning of the legal action and the judge's sentence, handed down at the end of February and now made available, authorizing the inclusion of Adilson's surname on  certificate.

 

"Socio-affective paternity is a new topic, which still does not have specific legislation determining which rite to be followed. To protect himself, the judge determined that, before handing down the sentence, biological father be sought out. And this took time , because he was not located in the first steps. I myself asked for access to several systems and carried out searches, until we found him after a few months and he became aware of the situation" , reveals defender Jefferson who worked on the case.

 

The DP/CE's thesis that have had a socio-affective father-son relationship for years, reported by several people heard in the process, was also reinforced in the MP/CE's favorable opinion on the recognition of the paternal bond. The Court also asked that the bond be endorsed by a report prepared by a social worker from City Hall, who visited the family, spoke to the parties and interviewed witnesses.

 

"The inclusion of  surname characterizes paternity. He becomes the boy's father, who will legally have two paternal affiliations. Later on, when he is of legal age,  himself will decide whether he wants to keep it that way or whether he will remove the biological father. At this moment, the option was to request only the inclusion of surname, without removing the biological father's surname, because he is just a child. It is important to be cautious. According to the legislation, he is a developing person and Removing the biological father's surname would mean giving up inheritance rights, for example. So, now, the safest and most rational decision, considering the child's interests, is to maintain the double bond" , adds defender Jefferson.

 

 

Boy will have two parents on his birth certificate. (Image: Duarte/DP/CE)

Sentence and happiness

 

In the decision i, reinforces the importance of guaranteeing the best interests of the boy, and cites the recognition of paternity as necessary, as it is the farmer who currently guarantees to the boy material and moral support, "essential for his full and healthy development."

 

The judge states: "I verify that there is an intimate relationship of affection built over a considerable period of family life, in which Mr. José  exercises, in fact, the paternal figure, providing material and emotional assistance to the child as if his son In addition to affection, there is the desire of both - José - to see socio-affective paternity recognized, in order to formalize the situation already experienced within the family."

 

The boy's mother also celebrates the family's achievement, also made up of the youngest  Neto, Teresa's son with  "I still can't believe it worked! I never thought there was this way of solving it [having two parents on the certificate].  I said that when he was of legal age we would go for it. So, I was very happy with the result! He managed to make a dream come true" , says Teresa Cristina.

 

With the favorable court decision already registered at the  civil registry office, a new birth certificate will be issued. In it, the boy will have both parents. And just as important: it will finally be Ravel Nunes de Sousa.

 

Information: DP/CE.