Parents’ consent to adoption not required, COA affirms
A mother and father with lengthy criminal records and a history of instability did not have to consent to the adoption of their daughter, the Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed.
Adoption
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COA reverses for stepmother in denied adoption petition case
A stepmother who was denied her petition to adopt her husband’s children will be given a second chance, after the Indiana Court of Appeals reversed and found the children’s biological mother’s failure to communicate with her children was not justifiable.
Denial of grandparental visitation reversed in ‘unusual circumstances’
Ruling in a case presenting “somewhat unusual circumstances,” the Indiana Court of Appeals reversed the denial of a petition for grandparent visitation, finding the trial court had erred in determining the visitation would not be in the granddaughter’s best interests. The appeals court remanded for proceedings to establish a grandparent visitation order in the case.
In 3-2 split, justices deny woman’s self-defense claim in murder
An Indianapolis woman who was convicted of murder after her manslaughter plea was rejected when she claimed self-defense could not persuade a majority of the Indiana Supreme Court last week to hear her appeal.
LGBTQ rights bill ignites debate over religious liberty
A sweeping bill that would extend federal civil rights protections to LGBTQ people is a top priority of President Joe Biden and Democrats in Congress. Yet as the Equality Act heads to the Senate after winning House approval, its prospects seem bleak — to a large extent because of opposition from conservative religious leaders.
Father must consent to stepfather’s adoption of children, appellate court rules
The adoption of two children by their stepfather after their mother died cannot proceed without their father’s consent, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Thursday, reversing a trial court order.
Justices reinstate adoption without mother’s consent
An Indiana trial court properly allowed an adoption to proceed without a mother’s consent, the Indiana Supreme Court has ruled, reinstating an adoption petition for the child whose mother failed to communicate or pay child support.
COA upholds denial of grandparents’ adoption petition
A request by grandparents to adopt a grandson found to be a child in need of services was properly denied, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday, upholding a trial court’s determination that adoption was not in the child’s best interests.
COA affirms denial of birth mother’s consent argument in adoption dispute
A birth mother unsuccessfully argued that her consent was required for her daughter’s aunt and uncle to adopt the child, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Monday.
Bill to ensure foster care subsidy for adoptive parents advances
Proposed legislation that would extend financial support to parents who adopt Hoosier children from foster care advanced in the Indiana Senate on Monday, with the bill’s sponsor hoping the bill’s third time will be the charm.
The fight to unite: International adoptions suffer under COVID-19 restrictions
International adoptions were already on the decline, lawyers say, and there’s concern that COVID could further reduce them. However, there are ways to unite families even as a pandemic keeps borders closed.
Appeals court affirms termination of mother’s parental rights
A Marion County mother has failed to convince the Indiana Court of Appeals that her parental rights over her 13-year-old daughter should be reinstated.
Mother’s consent not needed for adoption of kids by stepmom
The Indiana Court of Appeals has affirmed a woman’s petition to adopt her husband’s children, finding sufficient evidence to prove their biological mother failed without justifiable cause to communicate with the children.
A more conservative court hears same-sex foster parent case
The United States Supreme Court on Wednesday seemed likely to side with a Catholic social services agency in a dispute with Philadelphia over the agency’s refusal to work with same-sex couples as foster parents.
COA remands adoption to find why father’s consent not required
The Indiana Court of Appeals has remanded an adoptive mother’s granted petition to adopt her wife’s three children, finding that the trial court failed to make any findings that would support dispensing with their father’s consent.
Supreme Court permits cameras in court year-round for adoption celebrations
Indiana families celebrating the adoption of a new child into their families will now be able to capture the moments of that union in court via camera, no matter what time of year it is.
COA affirms denial of biological mother’s motion to set aside adoption
Although an Indiana trial court erred in declining to dismiss a biological mother’s motion to overturn her child’s adoption, the court properly denied that motion, keeping the adoption in place. Thus, the Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed and upheld the Clinton County adoption on Tuesday.
Adoption challenged by biological father upheld on appeal
An Evansville man who was proven to be the father of a child adopted by foster parents, but whose paternity was never formally established by a court, lost his appeal Wednesday challenging the adoption.
Adoption reversed after wrongful finding that mom’s consent not required
A Hamilton County adoption was reversed after a trial court wrongly found the biological mother’s consent to her child’s adoption was not required. The Indiana Court of Appeals on Monday found the trial court lacked evidence to support its findings.
Indiana petitions U.S. Supreme Court to take same-sex parents’ birth certificate case
Continuing its fight over parentage, Indiana has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to review the appellate court ruling that allowed non-birth mothers in a same-sex marriage to be listed as parents on their children’s birth certificates.