Indiana Adoption Questions & Answers
Q: Can I legally get back child support for my daughter prior to her adoption by my husband?
Assuming your attempts to collect back child support are within Indiana law, yes. Please be aware that there are statute of limitations for collecting back child support after a certain age, emancipation or adoption.
Q: Help with absent father who threatens court with me.
My daughters father has not paid child support, he goes months without contacting her, shes 2, and months without seeing her. He will text me a couple days before he wishes to see her and when i tell him that i have plans he gets upset and says that its my fault he doesn't have a relationship with... Read more »
When you get married and your significant other wants to adopt the child you must first terminate the biological parents rights first and then put the adoption through. The termination can be consented to or contested and if contested then a hearing will have to be conducted to see what is in the... Read more »
Q: Trying to get guardianship of my friends son. He's lived with me for 2 years now. But I don't know if the dad will
How would I go about doing it, if the dad won't sign. He hasn't been in his life since the boy was 6months old. He is now almost 3.
Based on your question it sounds like you need to file a motion with the court for guardianship of the minor child. If the Father is contesting it then the court will decide what is in the child's best interest. That is the standard in Indiana, the child's best interest in matters like these.... Read more »
Q: Does the breed of my dog stop me from being able to adopt my brother?
In adoption like any other matter relating to child custody, almost everything is is considered. Everything must be done in the best interests of the child.
So is the breed of your dog relevant to adoption? It could be. The history of your dog's temperament is probably more important than... Read more »
Q: I have fought for custody with my ex and his wife for 5 years. I pay over$1000 a month. I need to sign over rights.
I have a third child and his father hasn't worked in over 2 years so doesn't pay support. I can't properly support him. I also barely have a relationship with my older 2 and feel like they would be better off not feeling the struggle anymore. How should I approach this? I lost my attorney a year... Read more »
You can contact your ex's attorney if you are now pro se, and tell him or her that you are giving up the custody battle. I am sure that the other attorney will be happy to draft the necessary paperwork. Be very aware that the other attorney is not representing you.
Q: Can I represent myself in the termination of my children's fathers' rights and have my husband adopt them?
Bio father has not seen them in 6 months nor has paid child support in 6 + mo. He has an active warrant. His where about is unknown.
Yes, you can represent yourself. I would not advise it as having an experienced family law attorney guide you through the process can make it go more smoothly and generally move along faster. However, that is your prerogative.
If you have remarried and your new husband wishes to adopt your... Read more »
Q: My soon to be husband wants to adopt my 4 month old daughter. Can the father give up his rights.
Congratulations on your future nuptials. After you are legally married, your new husband can adopt your 4 month old daughter. The biological father can give up his rights by consenting to the adoption or refusing to contest the adoption.
It can be much more complicated than that if the... Read more »
Q: I am a female married to a female can both of us legally sign the birth certificate?
Yes. This was actually litigated and decided on in the past year. Indiana must list both spouses in same sex marriages as parents on their children's birth certificate.
Q: My dad was killed by a drunk driver a lawsuit was filed and won. I was adopted by another man do I have rights?
Do I have any rights to the money. My mom made my dad sign over his rights to me and then left the town we were living in and had me adopted by my half sisters dad. My sister (different then the one whose dad adpoted me.)has control of the money and blows it.
You should see a lawyer. The money was to be held in trust for you.Whoever administrated the estate should have seen it was put in a bank account for you.
Q: Must we have an attorney for a step parent adoption in Indiana? Is it possible to do so without an attorney?
In many counties, you must have an attorney to work on probate case. Larger cities do require attorneys. Look at your local rules, as posted on the Indiana Supreme Court website www.in.gov/judiciary.
Q: My cousin adopted her grandkids last yr. She can't care for them now. How can I go about adopting them?
My cousin adopted her 4 grandkids last year (all in elementary school). Due to some unforeseen reasons, she is no longer able to care for them. What steps do I need to take in order to adopt these kids? Their biological parents gave up their rights and my cousin adopted these children by going... Read more »
The most involved step is that you need a social worker to produce a home study report. This can be done through most adoption agencies. This report is intended to demonstrate to the judge that you are financially, physically, psychologically, and legally able to adopt. With this report in hand,... Read more »
Q: How can I find an actual pro bono lawyer in my town?
call the county bar association and it should be able to direct you. if you live in lake county there is a legal aid clinic in gary. if you live in hammond, there is a hammond legal aid on hohman ave. good luck.
Q: I was adopted in late 60's,how do I open the records?
Indiana has a very comprehensive program concerning the opening of adoptions. Ehow has an excellent How to article
http://www.ehow.com/how_6689642_open-adoption-records-indiana.html
Q: My girlfriend I, I am a female as well, are looking to have a baby together via insemination.
Will she have any rights to said child? Would she be able to adopt? I understand Indiana is Anti Gay, but does that I believe that is just for marriage?
Yes, she will be able to adopt and she should not have any difficulty based on sexual preference.. I have handled these before.
Q: How do i get in to adopted records
You must file A Petition to Unseal your Adoption records.
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