[startedover]

I know there is another form for this but this one gets more traffic. I posted the other day about a friend of mine wanting to adopt her neice's baby from Indian (friend from tn). The 2 questions that are left are 1. Does she have to have a home study. 2. what is the least expensive way to go about this? In a family adoption can it be easier and less expensive. thanks.

[ourdreamcametru]

I believe she still needs a homestudy but is there no way they can just sign over parental rights--would that be the same??? Maybe not.

[Angelnetty]

My best friend is actually looking at adopting her cousin's child in Indiana and she's been doing research and yes, you still have to have a homestudy for a kin adoption in Indiana. The child is currently in foster care so they are going to court in 3 wks to determine whether or not my BF has to become a licensed foster parent or not..

[RobinKay]

Tell her to hurry and get in touch directly with social worker and be sure everyone involved knows a relative wants the child. Go visit if possible, as much as possible. Ask if child can come to them on a "long term visit" while homestudy is being done. I wish I had done that.

Reunification with relatives-share your story or thoughts

[Barksum]

Seconding what Robin said. Have your BF call the child's sw NOW and let them know that she wants visits and phone contact with the child. Not sure of IN laws, but some states require a foster license and a homestudy, some just require a homestudy. Your BF should contact your local state foster/adoption agency to get some info from them. It may be wise to get their own lawyer to help insure that their desire to adopt their relative is noted before the judge residing over the child's case.

We worked to stay in contact with the child's cw and to be sure that the state agency in the child's state knew of our interest. I called frequently and asked for updates regarding the child, etc. A polite, but persistent, squeaky wheel. (Emphasis on the polite as the cw has a ton of say in where the child is placed adoptively.)

[startedover]

the baby has not been born yet. What needs to be done so that the baby can come directly home to TN? There is no sw because the neice simply wants to hand the baby over to her aunt when the baby is born.

[midnighttang]

Originally Posted by startedover

the baby has not been born yet. What needs to be done so that the baby can come directly home to TN? There is no sw because the neice simply wants to hand the baby over to her aunt when the baby is born.

I think her best bet is talking to an adoption attorney. It should be relatively inexpensive if there is no agency involved, but I think your friend would still have to have a homestudy and would probably have to go to IN and stay waiting for ICPC to clear. I just looked up IN in The Complete Adoption Book and it says that familial adoptions "are handled the same way as nonrelative adoptions, except that written approval of an adoption agency or the Department of Public Welfare is not necessary." I think she should definitely talk to a professional in IN.

[Barksum]

LOL Sorry, I got confused about who, what, and where. I would second Midnight's suggestion to get a lawyer in IN to advise her on what needs to be done.