Congratulations! You and your spouse have made the decision that it’s time for you to adopt your stepchild, and you probably couldn’t be more excited. There are specific guidelines that must be met in order to qualify to become an adoptive parent to your spouse’s child in Indiana. We address these requirements below and discuss the Indiana adoption process so that you can prepare yourself for what’s to come.
Many potential adoptive parents think that they need to make a certain amount of money each year in order to qualify as an adoptive parent. However, Indiana law does not require that you make a significant amount of money; rather, they simply expect that the following requirements be met:
In some cases, the courts may request that you submit to a background check or home study prior to your adoption being approved. As long as these guidelines can be met, you are well on your way to adopting your stepchild.
After the aforementioned Indiana adoption criteria have been met, you’ll be able to begin the process of adopting your stepchild. This includes filing a petition to adopt, which may require a hearing.
If the child’s other parent is still involved in the child’s life, it would be well-advised to discuss your plans with the other parent and obtain their consent. You may be able to proceed without their consent, but there will be a hearing in front of a judge in these situations. If the other parent hasn’t been involved in their child’s life, you shouldn’t run into any issues in your adoption.
Additionally, if the child is 12 years of age or older, the court will require that they give their consent for adoption as well before your adoption can be granted.
Once your petition has been filed and all necessary consent has been obtained, there will be an adoption hearing where your stepchild adoption will be finalized, and you’ll officially be your stepchild’s parent.
If you have further questions about adopting a stepchild in Indiana, get in touch with a compassionate Indiana adoption lawyer at Rowdy G. Williams Law Firm. You can schedule your no-obligation case review today by completing the quick contact form on our site or by giving our office a call at 1-812-232-7400.
