FAQs

Some of your questions may include the following:

1. You do not know us. How do you know we will be good, responsible parents?

In the overwhelming majority of cases, I would require that you have a home study (prior to placement), or pre-adoptive assessment, completed by a licensed child placing agency as a condition of going forward with the adoptive placement. This protects everyone involved. In stepparent adoption situations, where the adopting parent and the child's biological parent have been married for the minimum time period required by the court, a pre-adoptive assessment should be unnecessary, and, typically, only the appropriate supervisory report (prepared after filing and prior to the final adoption hearing) is required.

2. Does it cost anything for us/me to just talk with you about adoption?

No, if all we do is talk on the telephone and I answer several of your questions. If we have an office conference that lasts the usual 45-60 minutes, and you determine for whatever reason that you do not want to use my services, there would be a conference fee.

3. We have adopted a child in a foreign country. Do we have to "readopt" in Indiana (have another hearing, appear in court, etc.)?

Generally, no. There is an available procedure whereby you request the Indiana court to recognize your foreign decree. You sign a petition that is filed with the court, resulting in a court order and eventually, an Indiana birth certificate. No court appearance is required of you in most cases.

4. Will we have to pay the birthmother's medical expenses incurred at the hospital?

It depends. Some birthmothers have private medical insurance coverage or may qualify for Medicaid, and certain of her medical expenses may be paid through these plans. The child's initial medical expenses (medical examination at birth, etc.) may be included under your own medical insurance. Whatever medical expenses you are asked to pay generally are legitimate birthmother expenses that can be paid by you under applicable law.

5. What about other birthmother living expenses during her pregnancy or after childbirth? Can we pay these?

Again, it depends. The governing statute allows certain birthmother expenses, if incurred within the time frame provided under the statute and within certain dollar limitations, to be paid by the adoptive couple.