Adoption

If you are looking to adopt a child in the state of Indiana, and more specifically around the Indianapolis area, there are several legal steps that you should take to ensure that your adoption is as seamless and done entirely legally from the get go. If you are not familiar with the adoption process in Indiana, the best move that you can make is to get the attorneys at Cogswell and Associates on your team to fill in any gaps in knowledge and advise you on legal rights and responsibilities that are relevant to you and your situation. If you are ready to get the “A” team on your side, all it takes is a simple phone call to schedule your appointment and get started toward making your house a home by addition a new member to your family..

Who Can Adopt in Indiana?

You, thats who. As a resident of Indiana that is wishing to adopt you are able to file a petition for adoption. As such, you have to show sufficient ability to raise the child, provide suitable support, and the ability to ensure that the child will receive an education in your care. It is important to remember that you do not have to be a rich, married, young, well-educated person in order to adopt in the state of Indiana. It is important to remember, no matter what your current family dynamic is, you have to be willing to be committed to the process and able to care for and provide for the child that you are looking to bring into your home. With many reputable adoption agencies out there, adoption is possible in Indiana. As such, it is important to have your legal paperwork in order. Let Cogswell and Associates help you get everything in line and ready for the next step.

Rights of The Parents

When it comes to giving up a child for adoption in Indiana, the biological parents of the child that is being given up for adoption will not have any legal duties or rights with respect to the child once the adoption is finalized. As such, this means that the adoptive parents now become the actual legal parents of the child being adopted. Therefore, they will become fully and entirely responsible for the child’s health, welfare, physical safety, education and development. Ensuring that your adoption is done properly can help outline these rights and responsibilities and help mitigate any future issues that may occur. Seeking legal counsel is one of the smartest things that you can do in cases such as this that require legal responsibilities on your behalf.

Filing the Adoption Petition

Filing the adoption petition can be a complex process. Knowing who needs to file and what rights the natural parent may have is important to make sure that your adoption paperwork is done correctly to avoid any legal issues down the road. When it comes to adoption in Indiana, it is important to note these differences as well. Legal counsel from Cogswell and Associates of Indianapolis will ensure that you are ready and prepared when the time comes to file your adoption petition. When a married couple files for adoption, both couples must sign the petition. That being said, unmarried couples cannot file jointly, only one individual of the couple can file the petition at that time. In the state of Indiana, the natural mother, if living, is required to give consent for an adoption as well as the father who has established paternity or signed a paternity affidavit. If you are still feeling confused about the process, let us help. Cogswell and Associates, bringing families together from start to finish near you.

Additional Considerations in Indiana

While we would all like to think that we are able to give a child brought into our home the best life possible, there are certain considerations within the state of Indiana that must be noted. The first of these is that Indiana requires that a Family Preparation Assessment (Home Study) must be completed to be recommended for a child who is a ward. This is done by the local county Department of Child Services (DCS) and/or the private agency (LCPA) that contracts with the county that you live in to determine if you have been approved. Upon completion, you are required to have written approval before a child can be placed in your home for adoption and through the local court jurisdiction. While these are just a few on the things to be considered, it is important to know exactly what is required of you and all parties involved in your upcoming adoption. Choose a reputable agency, and a reputable attorney such as those at Cogswell and Associates to ensure your adoption goes through with little to no issues the first time, everytime.

How much Will it Cost

Determining cost on an adoption can be difficult, as no two are the same. The best way to get an idea is to set up a consultation with the staff at Cogswell and Associates. If you are looking to adopt, this is the best first step that you can take to ensure that you are ready and prepared for the road ahead. If you are concerned about costs, Indiana offers some relief in that some of the children in the Indiana Adoption Program are eligible for the Federal Adoption Assistance Program. This program provides a monthly payment and Medicaid for the child after adoption. If adoption is what you are looking to do, don’t let the red take deter you. The team of Attorneys at Cogswell and Associates is here to help you make your adoption as stress free and pleasant as possible. Give us a call and set up your consultation to get started on the road to a happy home by giving you the legal advice that you need when you need it.

Types of Adoptions That We Cover

Traditional Adoptions
Same-sex Couple Adoptions
Contested Adoptions
Surrogacy Contracts