What are the legal rights and responsibilities of adoptive parents?

In Indiana, adoptive parents have many legal rights and responsibilities. These rights and responsibilities are established by the state’s adoption laws. When someone adopts a child in Indiana, they are legally responsible for being the child’s parent. This includes providing a safe and secure home, proper nutrition, medical care, education, and emotional support. Adoptive parents also have the right to make decisions for the child in regards to medical care, school, religion, and day-to-day care. Adoptive parents also have the right to inherit from their adopted child should the child pass away before them and to be entitled to Social Security survivors’ benefits should the adopted child become disabled or pass away. They may also be eligible for adoption assistance if the adopted child has a special need. Additionally, adoptive parents are legally required to provide financial support for their adopted child. This includes payments such as child support, medical insurance, and other expenses. The adoptive parents are also the legal guardians of the adopted child, which means that they have the right to make decisions about the child’s financial, educational, and medical matters. Finally, in a stepparent adoption, the adoptive parent must provide written consent to the adoption before the court will grant it. This is the case even if the adoptive parent is the child’s biological parent. Adoption law in Indiana is complex and parents considering adoption should consult an experienced adoption attorney to understand their rights and responsibilities under the law.

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