Absent a statutory ground enumerated in Indiana Code § 31-19-9-8 to dispense with a mother’s consent to the adoption of her child, an adoption cannot take place without the mother’s consent to the adoption. The same is not true of an unwed father. Under Indiana statutes, an unwed father, who is not a “legal” father* […]
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Difference between "abandonment" and "failure to communicate" under Indiana Code § 31-19-9-8
Indiana adoption law starts from the premise that in order for a child to be adopted, the child’s mother and the child’s legal father1 must consent to the adoption. Certain actions or non-actions by a mother or legal father may vitiate the need for the parent to consent to the adoption. Indiana Code § 31-19-9-8 […]
Pre-Birth Consent to Adoption by the Birth Father
Yesterday morning we received a call from an expectant mother considering adoption for her baby. Let’s call her Lisa. The call came in at 7:00am. Lisa was very upset and wanted to speak to an adoption attorney. She mentioned that she had an appointment set up with an adoption agency, but she had not […]
How to Improperly Handle an Adoption
A hospital social worker called us today to ask us an adoption question. Steve Kirsh travels around the state of Indiana to present to hospital social workers and nurses on current adoption law trends in Indiana, how adoptions should be handled properly, and how they are sometimes handled improperly. The social worker called us to […]
Choosing an Indiana Adoption Agency or Adoption Attorney
Picking an Indiana adoption agency or indiana adoption attorney to work with to adopt a child can be a daunting task. Just this week I had another conversation with a potential client that voiced their frustration in their decision to go with a national adoption agency in their pursuit to become parents. Unfortunately, I […]
When a Consent to Adoption is not Required under Indiana Law
Indiana law requires that in order for a petition for adoption to be granted for a child who less than eighteen (18) years old consent to the adoption must be given. Whose consent is required is a topic for another blog post. For now, we are going to focus on when a consent to adoption […]
Birth Mother Says Her Goodbyes to Adoptive Parents and Adoptee
INDIANA – In this room today sat a birth mother, two adoptive parents, and one baby that they all love very much. I stood in the hallway as they said their goodbyes. They spoke about the 48 hours they spent together in the hospital and the ups and downs they went through during that time. […]
Picking an Adoptive Family
Picking an adoptive family can seem like a daunting process, but it does not have to be. If you are pregnant and considering placing your baby for adoption, or putting your baby up for adoption or giving up your baby for adoption (common terms, but not policitcally correct) do not be scared away from the […]
Placing a Child for Adoption Isn't an Easy Decision
No woman chooses adoption for her baby (aka “put up for adoption”, “give up for adoption”, “place for adoption”) because she wants to part with her child. A woman chooses adoption for her baby because she loves her baby and wants what is best for her child and knows that she cannot provide that life […]
DCS Adoption: Next Steps to File and Finalize Your Adoption
You are interested in DCS adoptions and your family case manager, GAL or CASA has told you that you need to contact an attorney to assist you with your proposed adoption of the child, or children that you have been fostering. You have come to the right place because adoption is the ONLY area of […]
