[tdhraf]

My husband is placing is 8 yr daughter for adoption to her step-dad. It is a long story but basically she has lived with her SD since an infant and didn't meet my husband until she was much older. SD is daddy to her and my husband is just another guy. My H has agreed to let SD adopt. We are wondering what a step-parent adoption usually entails. My H is afraid that the BioMom is going to put some weird stuff in the Petition for Adoption. He knows he doesn't have to agree with anything but we would just like to know what to except. We are in Indiana.
Thanks

[DianeS]

I'm not sure what you mean by "what to expect". In most step-parent adoptions, the biological parent signs away his rights and responsibilities to the child and never sees or has any contact with the child again. The stepparent adopts the child, becoming the legal parent in addition to the day-to-day parent. End of story.

The bio parent then has absolutely no legal, moral, or parental right or responsibility to do another thing for the child. No child support, no visitation, etc.

It is possible to agree to a more open adoption, where the biological parent may receive pictures, letters, telephone calls, or even visits. But you need to be aware that none of that legally enforcable.

I'm not sure what kind of "weird stuff" he's afraid would be put into the petition. It's usually just a legal doc stating that adult X would like to adopt minor Y, and here's minor Y's biological father's signature agreeing to it. If he's really worried, then he should get a lawyer (which is always a good idea before signing any legal document, not just relinquishment papers.)

[tdhraf]

He is afraid that they are going to ask for support to continue or for him to pay their attorney fees. I can't think of anything else that concerns him right now.

[Step2Adopt]

Its highly likely that they will ask for cs just until the adoption is final. Id ask for that to be waived. Attny fees are also a possibility.

[jlcwc92300]

hello, i'm in indiana also, looking to adopt my sd. this is what i do know- NO, bio will not get cs after the adoption is done. now i don't know if this is from the time filed or finalized. like DianeS said- pretty much a petition for adoption is filed, lawyer contacts you, you sign, and then everything goes threw the courts to make it final. your dh will have no more rights of any kind, nor will any of his family, and so ends cs.
now the att fees i don't know about. i do know that in Indiana you must have a laywer (well atleast bio and sf will).
well if you have any more ??'s i will do my best to try to help you out. you can email me at Blue_Eies_20@yahoo also.
laters!