Can I adopt my stepchild if the bio parent only sends texts to my spouse but never contacts the child in Wisconsin?

Possibly, yes. Wisconsin has an abandonment ground in Wis. Stat. § 48.415 with a 6-month period. A parent who only texts your spouse and never reaches out to the child may fall within it, but whether those texts change the picture is a question of fact for the Circuit Court to decide.

What the law gives us to work with:

• The abandonment period in Wis. Stat. § 48.415 is 6 months.
• Wisconsin law doesn't spell out, in the information we work from, how a judge weighs texts sent to a spouse against no contact with the child. Confirm that point with the Circuit Court clerk in your county or with an attorney.
• If the biological parent disagrees or shows up in the case, that is a contested situation. An attorney can advise you on it.

What to gather now: A clear record helps whatever the court decides. Consider collecting:

• The date of the biological parent's last direct contact with the child, such as a visit, call, card, or gift.
• Screenshots of the texts to your spouse, showing dates and what they say, including whether the child is mentioned.
• Any record of support payments, or of the lack of them.
• Any offers your spouse made to arrange contact, and how the parent responded.

Other Wisconsin basics for a stepparent adoption:

• Court: Your petition goes to the Circuit Court. Wisconsin has 72 counties, and the clerk in yours can confirm local filing details and the current fee.
• Residency: Wisconsin sets no minimum residency period (Wis. Stat. § 48.82). Adopters are Wisconsin residents, and a stepparent adopting alongside a spouse who is the child's parent fits the categories in the statute.
• Child's consent: Wisconsin does not require the child's consent. A child 14 or older attends the hearing unless the court orders otherwise.
• Home study: It is waived for stepparent adoptions (Wis. Stat. § 48.88).
• Timeline: A stepparent adoption in Wisconsin typically takes 3-6 months.

Where this leaves you: The 6-month period gives you a clear benchmark. If the biological parent has had no direct contact with your stepchild for longer than that, you have a reasonable basis to raise abandonment. How the judge sees the texts to your spouse depends on the specific facts, so it's worth a quick call to the clerk, or a consultation with an attorney if you expect the parent to object.