Indiana Adoption Questions & Answers
Q: Can I legally get back child support for my daughter prior to her adoption by my husband?
Alexander Florian Steciuch's answer
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.
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.
1 Answer
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in
Family Law, Adoption, Child Custody and Child Support
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Indiana
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Answered on Mar 26, 2018
Answered on Mar 26, 2018
John Mario Acosta Jr.'s answer
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 child's best interest.
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 child's best interest.
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
John Mario Acosta Jr.'s answer
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. Additionally, courts are reluctant to take away or give custody to another if the biological parents are involved in the child's life and are fit to be parents.
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. Additionally, courts are reluctant to take away or give custody to another if the biological parents are involved in the child's life and are fit to be parents.
Q: Does the breed of my dog stop me from being able to adopt my brother?
Alexander Florian Steciuch's answer
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 the breed. There are probably bigger concerns at play though, like if you can provide a safe and loving environment for your brother to grow up in.
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 the breed. There are probably bigger concerns at play though, like if you can provide a safe and loving environment for your brother to grow up in.
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.
1 Answer
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in
Adoption, Child Custody and Child Support
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Indiana
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Answered on Apr 16, 2017
Answered on Apr 16, 2017
Paul Stanko's answer
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.
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?
1 Answer
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in
Family Law, Adoption, Child Custody and Child Support
for
Indiana
on
Answered on Apr 4, 2017
Answered on Apr 4, 2017
Alexander Florian Steciuch's answer
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 children you will need the consent of the biological father or have his rights terminated. There are certain exceptions where you do not need his consent. Failure to pay child support or failure to...
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 children you will need the consent of the biological father or have his rights terminated. There are certain exceptions where you do not need his consent. Failure to pay child support or failure to...
Q: My soon to be husband wants to adopt my 4 month old daughter. Can the father give up his rights.
Alexander Florian Steciuch's answer
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 biological father chooses to contest the adoption.
However, there are also certain instances where the biological father does not have to consent, such as when the biological father has...
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 biological father chooses to contest the adoption.
However, there are also certain instances where the biological father does not have to consent, such as when the biological father has...
Q: I am a female married to a female can both of us legally sign the birth certificate?
Alexander Florian Steciuch's answer
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.
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?
Peter Munsing's answer
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.
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?
Mr Jeffrey D Heck's answer
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.
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?
Mr Jeffrey D Heck's answer
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, most of the rest of the work is done by the lawyer
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, most of the rest of the work is done by the lawyer
Q: How can I find an actual pro bono lawyer in my town?
Terrence Rubino's answer
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.
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?
Burton A. Padove's answer
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
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.
Burton A. Padove's answer
Yes, she will be able to adopt and she should not have any difficulty based on sexual preference.. I have handled these before.
Yes, she will be able to adopt and she should not have any difficulty based on sexual preference.. I have handled these before.
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