[testevens]

Hello, All. I am new to this board and have a few questions for anyone who has traveled this path before me.

My husband and I live in Anchorage, Alaska and we recently received a call from Indiana regarding a baby. As we are not represented by an agency, and the match was a suggestion from a friend, we are somewhat on our own with this independent adoption.

The baby is due in 2-3 weeks and we are overwhelmed to say the very least. We have begun an accelerated home study and secured an Indiana attorney. We were told the father cannot consent until after the birth and then we have to return to Indiana 30 after the birth for the ICPC. Is this correct? I've read the Indiana Adoption Code and it seems the father can consent in advance. I don't see anything about the 30 day wait. Does anyone know anything about this?

testevens

[want2adopt1]

We adopted our little boy from Indiana. We finalized in November. I believe that the birthfather can sign before the baby is born because our baby's b-father was presented with the papers before he was born. He waited until after the baby was born to sign, but he could have before. We finalized in Indiana, but we did not have to travel to Indiana for finalization. We did it by phone. We live in Missouri and it was faster to finalize through Indiana than it was through Missouri. Finalization in Indiana is usually done within 2-3 months. I haven't heard of it only taking 30 days.
Hope this info helps. Our baby came from Indianapolis. I could give you the name of our attorney if you are interested. He is a very experienced adoption attorney.
Shay

[Linny]

You may find this helpful. It states that the consent can only be signed after the birth of the baby...and the 30 day thing has to do with withdrawing the consent---but only in circumstances that show the 'best interest of the child, etc'.

http://naic.acf.hhs.gov/general/lega...rchresults.cfm

(Indiana requirements...)

Consent to Adoption


To better understand this issue and to view it across States, see the Consent to Adoption (Printable version - PDF 777KB) publication.


Who Must Consent to an Adoption
Citation: § 31-19-9-1

Each living parent of a child born in wedlock
The mother of a child born out of wedlock and the father whose paternity has been established
Any person or agency having custody
The court having jurisdiction
A minor parent with the concurrence of the parent or guardian
The spouse of a married parent


When Parental Consent is not Needed
Citation: §§ 31-19-9-8 to 31-19-9-10
The parent has:
Abandoned the child for at least 6 months prior to the filing of an adoption petition
Failed to contact or support the child for at least 1 year when the child has been in the custody of another person
Not established paternity or has failed to register with the putative father registry
Caused the child to be conceived as a result of rape or incest
Had his or her parental rights terminated
Been declared incompetent or mentally defective
Been found to be unfit and had his or her rights terminated in child's best interest
Been convicted of murder, manslaughter, or causing the suicide, and the victim was the child's other parent
Been convicted of murder, manslaughter, rape, incest, neglect, battery, or causing the suicide, and the victim was the child's sibling


When Consent Can Be Executed
Citation: § 31-19-9-2
Consent may be executed any time after the child's birth.

How Consent Must Be Executed
Citation: § 31-19-9-2
Consent may be executed in the presence of the court, a notary public, a county authorized agent, or an authorized agent of the division or child-placing agency.

Revocation of Consent
Citation: §§ 31-19-10-3; 31-19-10-4

Consent may not be withdrawn after the entry of the adoption decree and pursuant to § 31-19-10-3.
Consent to adoption may be withdrawn no later than 30 days after consent is given, if the court finds that the person seeking the withdrawal is acting in the best interest of the child.


Hope this helps....

Sincerely,

Linny

[kat8eyes]

we are in the process of adopting in Indiana- feel fre eto pm me if you haven't gotten all the answers you were looking for!