Need advice on stepparent adoption Indiana

[ladyangelpettit]

My husband and I just got married, but we have been together a little over a year. My oldest daughter wants him to adopt her and her bio father said he would sign the papers all I have to do is send them to him. My problem is that I don't know what the laws are here in Indiana about stepparent adoption. Any one that can help it would be greatly appreciated. My daughter is 16 and her bio father has only been in her life on a hit and miss basis for a whole 3 years total. It is what she wants and my husband is more than willing to do so to make her happy, he also has 2 girls of his own and I have 2 other children, but only the oldest wants the adoption. Again any help is appreciated and we want to say thanks in advance.

[panther10758]

If you "just" got married you will need to wait anywhere form 6 mos to one year

[ladyangelpettit]

Ok, thank you. That's what we thought but we wanted to make sure.

[Dogmatique]

Actually there is no statutory requirement that you are married for X period of time.

The court wants to see stability though - being in a relationship/marriage for a few years is more likely to convince the court that you're stable than applying a month after you've recently married having only been together for a year.

Are your other children fathered by the same man?

[ladyangelpettit]

No they are not. We have been together for about a year and a half now and all of our children are from previous relationships. What I am trying to figure out is since she wants my husband to adopt her and her bio father is willing to sign the paperwork and not contest it if there is a time period specified by the court system in my state that we have to wait. Any information is very helpful and very much appreciated. We wish to do this without a lawyer because he is not contesting it.

[panther10758]

Its not a quick process and can take a year or more

[Dogmatique]

Mom, I strongly recommend an attorney.

Even if you're all on the same page, it's critical to make sure everything is done correctly; the last thing you want is for it to be overturned on a technicality.

[ladyangelpettit]

I will look into lawyer fees because you are very right. I don't want it to change due to an oversight on our part.