What You Should Know About the Indiana Adoption Process

While most people do not associate positive circumstance with legal proceedings, the adoption process can be a happy time in the lives of those undergoing the process. Nonetheless, the Indiana adoption process consists of several steps and can take several months, so it is important to understand exactly what adopting entails before you begin.

If you are considering adoption, you should call an Indianapolis family lawyer at Hessler Law, PC today. Our team is highly experienced in facilitating adoptions in Indiana and can help you throughout the entirety of the adoption process. To learn more at a free and confidential consultation, contact us at (317) 886-8800 today.

Types of Adoptions in Indiana

As you begin your adoption journey, you’ll hear lots of terms that may be foreign to you, especially if you’ve not yet decided just what route you’ll take. Here are the types of adoptions the attorneys at Hessler Law, PC may be able to help you with:

• Intrastate: An intrastate adoption is a domestic adoption where all parties involved are residents of Indiana.
• Interstate: An interstate adoption is a domestic adoption where the parties involved reside in different states.
• International: An international adoption is when at least one party, typically the prospective adoptive child, was born and still is a citizen of a foreign country.
• Stepparent: A stepparent adoption is when a stepparent wishes to become the parent of their spouse’s child legally.
• Kinship: In a kinship adoption, a family member, such as a grandparent, aunt, or uncle wishes to become the child’s permanent and full legal guardian.
• Agency: In an agency adoption, prospective adoptive parents work with a licensed adoption agency to locate a potential adoptive child by working with birthmothers considering adoption or local agencies such as social welfare organizations.
• Independent: A licensed adoption agency is not involved in an independent adoption. In this scenario, the prospective adoptive parents have typically located the birthmother and work directly with her throughout her pregnancy and the relinquishment process.

Paperwork to Complete During an Indiana Adoption

Once you’ve decided how you’ll go about building your family, it’s time to get to work completing paperwork and obtaining the necessary approvals. According to AdoptUsKids, a nationwide adoption network, Indiana requires prospective adoptive parents to complete:

• An application packet issued by the county or agency with whom prospective adoptive parents are working
• 16 hours of training, criminal background checks, and child protective services checks
• A home study with the county or agency with whom you are working

While this may seem like a brief list, keep in mind each step in the Indiana adoption process can take weeks or months to complete. When considering adoption, it is important to note that the process can move exceptionally slow. But, it is important to understand that all these checks and balances are meant to protect you and your newly adopted son or daughter.

Adoption Permanency

The number one fear of potential adoptive parents is that the child or children they’ve brought into their home will be taken away from them. The reality is that if adoption is done properly, the probability it will be overturned on appeal is very low. That is why it is imperative you work with an ethical adoption attorney who doesn’t take any shortcuts and follows the state law.

When you partner with an Indianapolis attorney from Hessler Law, your rights will be protected, and we will stand by your side during each step of the legal adoption process.

Considering Adoption in Indiana? Contact Hessler Law, PC Today

If you are considering adoption, or if you’ve started the process but decided it’s time to seek legal counsel, call Hessler Law, PC contact us at (317) 886-8800 today.