Legal Question in Family Law in Indiana

Adoption

My daughter and her boyfriend plan on marrying soon. He is interested in adopting her 16 month old daughter. The biological father did not sign any forms at the hospital claiming paternity. His name is not on the birth certificate and he has not given 1 penny to her support. He has had no contact with the child for 11 months. Does my daughter have to make an attempt tocontact him regarding potential adoption. She does not know where he lives but she could find out. Or since he is not legally her father can they just retain an attorney to begin adoption.

thank you


Asked on 2/07/04, 2:47 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Mary Ann Wunder Wunder & Wunder

Re: Adoption

A couple must be married for a year before nearly any court in Indiana would permit an adoption. There is a statutory scheme for notice to an absent parent whose paternity has not been established. Based on the facts you presented, the absent parent's consent would not be necessary for a step-parent adoption.

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Answered on 2/09/04, 11:03 am


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