Legal Question in Family Law in Indiana

Re: step dad wants to adopt 2 step children

Under the circumstances you describe, you would be a candidate to adopt the children.

As to a reduction in child support for your other kids -- you could argue that the adopted kids are prior born and therefore would work to reduce the support owed. Your ex would argue that although they are prior born, they were adopted later and that that shouldn't serve as a basis to reduce the support to the existing kids.

I believe a judge would end up siding with your ex on that issue, though your lawyer would be happy to argue that point strenously, I'm sure.

As far as cost, that varies wildly from attorney to attorney.

I know some attorneys who charge a flat fee of $10,000, which is ridiculous, in my opinion.

I'd say that $1,500 is more in the right range for what you're wanting to do, which would include the filing fee, putative father registry searches, legal notices, home study.