Legal Question in Appeals and Writs in California

If you have adopted the child then it is as though you were also the biological parent, having the same rights as the mother, unless there is a divorce decree establishing different rights and obligations.

I'm not sure what you mean by the legal father. Mr. Shers assumes adoption, but you could also have been held to be the father by a court hearing a paternity or dissolution case. Some more detailed information would be helpful.

Also you have posted in the Appeals and Writs category and I cannot fathom whether you are seeking to appeal from an adverse determination of paternity, or find out what your rights are as a father.