[caleb]

hi,
i m a 19 year old heterosexual male business student.
among other things, i m a peer counsellor in college. and as an extension of that, i have been doing the same on the internet. i have been talking to a 13 year old girl for quite some time who has had a horrid home life. and after a lot of thought, i would like to adopt her.
yes, i know this looks bad on paper. i do have a girlfriend and there are easier ways to be a perv. i think of myself as quite responsible and since my college is paid for, i think i can provide for her and give her a decent life.
she has an abusive father and a penniless mother. separated. currently with the father.
she lives in indiana and i m not too familiar with the law involved here. i have talked to a lawyer and all he could tell me was about licensing and foster parenting, but said he didnt know if i could adopt her.
she is talented and sad, thats the best phrase i can use right now. another thing that i think makes me uniquely qualified is that i have been through bipolar disorder and have been stable for quite awhile. and with my history, i believe i can guide her through all the perils there are in teenage and after, since i fear she may be drawn to all that. i sincerely believe i am her only hope and that she is mine.

if anyone can help, i d be most grateful.

[lucyjoy]

There is little likelihood that any court would(or should) ever allow this. While you may be able to know the difference this child may view a 19 year old as dateable. Also, how do you know this girl is even telling the truth? Maybe she's just bored or exagerating. Also, being poor does not make one a bad parent.
If you really believe she is in an abusive or neglectful situation, call authorities and hand over whatever info you have that suggests that so they can investigate.

[Volfe]

offhand I think you'd first be needing a homestudy anyway and most states like you to show certain histories for that... including financial, medical, career, residence, character, and I think they prefer prospective adoptive parents to be 25 or more. I realize adoptive parents will know those details better.

You can contact the social service office/ Dept of Human Services, they'll have an adoption dept. Ask for someone knowledgable there.

Maia

[Gwen]

I am afraid all the facts above are right. Age is not in your favour. Nor is finances. There needs to be and should be a history, proof that you will survive the trials of parenting. Life experiences (although at your age I did not agree either) are huge in raising children and whethering the unpredictable pressures of parenting.
Your basic facts and life situation will make it virtually impossible for any agency to even consider you as a prospect.
Sorry, that is probably not the answer you wanted to hear.