Indiana adoption attorney helping a family grow through adoption

Adoption · Indiana

Indiana Adoption Attorneys Helping Families Grow With Confidence

Adoption is one of the most meaningful ways to build a family, and it only becomes permanent when the legal steps are done right. At Webster & Garino LLC, our Indiana adoption attorneys guide stepparents, relatives, and adoptive parents through every stage, from consent to the final decree.

or call (317) 565-1818

Indiana adoption attorney helping a family grow through adoption
WHO WE HELP

Who We Help With Adoption in Indiana

Every adoption is different. We represent families across a wide range of situations, always with the same goal: a secure, permanent home for the child.

  • Stepparents who want to adopt a spouse’s child
  • Grandparents and relatives adopting a child already in their care
  • Foster parents adopting a child through the Indiana Department of Child Services
  • Couples and individuals completing a private or agency adoption
  • Adults who want to formalize a family relationship through adult adoption
  • Birth parents who want to understand consent and their legal rights

A well prepared adoption moves faster and holds up. Our attorneys make sure consents, notices, and filings are complete so your family’s adoption is final and secure.

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What Our Clients Have to Say…

50+

YEARS EXPERIENCE

3

COUNTIES SERVED

100%

FOCUSED ON FAMILIES

2

OFFICE LOCATIONS

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Why Legal Guidance Matters

An adoption permanently changes a child’s legal parents. Consents, notice to biological parents, home studies, and background checks all have to be handled correctly. Skilled representation helps you avoid delays and protects the finality of your adoption.

Key Issues in an Adoption Case

What Gets Decided in an Indiana Adoption Case?

Most Indiana adoption cases come down to a handful of core issues. We help you resolve each one clearly and completely.

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Parental Consent

Biological parents generally must consent to an adoption. Indiana law allows the court to proceed without a parent’s consent only in specific circumstances.

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Home Study & Background Checks

Most adoptions require a home study and criminal background checks before the court will approve the adoption.

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The Child’s Best Interests

The court must find that the adoption is in the child’s best interests before it enters a final decree.

HOW WE HELP

A Complete Approach to Your Adoption

We guide you through every stage of an adoption, from the first conversation to the final decree.

01

Initial Consultation

We listen to your situation, explain how Indiana adoptions work, and outline the path and timeline for your type of adoption.

02

Consents & Notice

We obtain the required consents and make sure every parent entitled to notice is properly served, including a search of Indiana’s Putative Father Registry when required.

03

Filing the Petition

We prepare and file the petition for adoption in the correct Indiana court with the supporting documents the court requires.

04

Home Study & Background Checks

We coordinate the home study and required background checks, and ask the court to waive steps when the law allows.

05

Contested Adoptions

When a parent objects, our seasoned litigators are prepared to present your case in front of the court.

06

Final Hearing & Decree

We guide you through the final hearing, obtain the adoption decree, and help you request an amended birth certificate.

Indiana Law & Local Experience

Adoption Under Indiana Law

Indiana adoptions are governed by Title 31, Article 19 of the Indiana Code. A child more than fourteen years old must generally consent to the adoption, and a biological parent’s consent may not be required if that parent has failed without justifiable cause to communicate with or support the child for at least one year.

Once an adoption is final, the adoptive parents have the same rights and responsibilities as any other parent, and the child has the same inheritance rights as a biological child. Our attorneys handle every step with that permanence in mind.

We serve clients throughout Central Indiana: Westfield, Indianapolis, Carmel, Noblesville, Zionsville, and Fishers.

Adoptive family walking together after finalizing an Indiana adoption

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Common Questions About Adoption in Indiana

We know you have questions. Here are answers to the concerns Indiana families most often bring to our office about adoption.

How does a stepparent adoption work in Indiana?

The stepparent files a petition to adopt, and the other biological parent usually must consent. If that parent will not consent, the court may still grant the adoption in limited circumstances, such as when the parent has not communicated with or supported the child for at least one year without justifiable cause.

Is a home study required for every adoption?

Most Indiana adoptions require a home study, but the court may waive it in some cases, such as certain stepparent and relative adoptions. We will tell you early whether your adoption is likely to need one.

How long does an adoption take in Indiana?

Timelines vary. An uncontested stepparent or relative adoption can often be completed in a few months, while agency, contested, or interstate adoptions can take longer. We give you a realistic timeline at your first meeting.

Can my adoption case be handled virtually?

Yes. We offer fully virtual services across all areas of family law, so you can get the legal help you need without extra time away from work or family.
WE’RE HERE TO HELP

Let’s Build a Plan That Protects What Matters Most

You do not have to navigate an adoption alone. Our attorneys make the process clear, compassionate, and focused on bringing your family together.

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Serving Hamilton County · Marion County · Boone County · Westfield · Indianapolis · Carmel · Noblesville · Zionsville · Fishers · Cicero