Legal Question in Family Law in Indiana

Step-Mama of 6 1/2 years seeks Adoption

I have been raising my husbands 8 yr old son for the past 6 1/2 years. My husband has sole custody, and the biological mother has not had ANY contact with us for close to 5 years now. She was ordered to pay child support and has never paid a dime of it. My son has always known me as his mama, since he was only 1 1/2 when she left him with me and my husband. We have been married for 6 years now, and since then have had 2 more children. I would love dearly to adopt my son so we can stop worrying that she may re-apear some day and turn our lives upside down. She could get in contact with us ''if'' she wanted to, but hasn't tried. Is there an abondonment law in IN? What do I need to do to get the ball rolling to become my sons legal mommy. Could we possibly propose dropping the child support debt that she owes if she signs over parental rights? We are not finacially stable enough to afford to pay a lawyer his fees all at one time, and are hoping we could possibly make some arrangements to do so. Even so, I don't want her money, I just want my son. Please Help.


Asked on 5/19/05, 10:58 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Voyle A. Glover Attorney at Law

Re: Step-Mama of 6 1/2 years seeks Adoption

The law in Indiana is on your side on this one, assuming what you said is true, i.e., that there has been no support nor efforts at communication by the parental mother.

Adoption would certainly be a course of action here that would be viewed favorably by the court. There are many lawyers who will work with you on the fees in such cases. Find a local attorney and simply ask him/her what their fees would be, the costs and whether or not they will accept some kind of a pay schedule.

Good luck.

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Answered on 5/20/05, 5:01 am


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