Articles

Attorney reprimanded for handling of adoption case

The Indiana Supreme Court has publicly reprimanded a Hamilton County adoption attorney who failed to inform his clients that a birth mother they planned to adopt a baby from had chosen someone else to adopt her child.

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New law gives grandparents notice about adoptions

A new law requiring grandparents be notified of adoption petitions passed the General Assembly this year without a single vote in opposition and was signed into law by Gov. Eric Holcomb. That’s when the confusion began.

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Mother’s consent to adoption not required, appeals court rules

A trial court properly determined that a mother’s consent was not required to the adoption of her child, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled, finding that even though she had a difficult year in which she had no communication with her child, the law requires her to continue to foster her parental relationship.

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COA recommends judge’s recusal in remand of motion to contest adoption

In a 41-page opinion handed down Thursday, the Indiana Court of Appeals reversed the dismissal of a putative father’s motion to contest adoption, finding that the adoptive parents had caused delays in the court proceedings and also noting that the judge in the case should have recused himself to avoid the appearance of impropriety.

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Adopt-A-Doll brings cuteness to courtroom

Most of the child-related cases heard in Clark Circuit Court No. 4 are grim. Judge Vicki Carmichael is accustomed to tales of neglect, abuse and troubled juveniles. Saturday’s court docket brought something entirely different — children with smiles on their faces clasping dolls and stuffed animals in front of the bench.

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Justices reinstate father’s parental rights

A trial court’s findings do not “clearly and convincingly support” its decision to terminate a father’s parental rights to his son based on it being in the best interests of the boy. In fact, the findings show that the father and son have a bond and often spend time together, the Indiana Supreme Court found Tuesday.

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Appeals court reverses adoption petition

The Indiana Court of Appeals reversed an adoption petition after it found the adoptive mother did not participate in a sufficient background check and the court should have combined the adoption proceedings with a paternity hearing that was also occurring at the same time.

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COA upholds adoption venue transfer

The Indiana Court of Appeals upheld transfer of an adoption petition from Greene to Monroe County Circuit Court, ruling Monroe was the preferred venue because of other cases related to the petition that also were happening there.

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E-filing extends to confidential cases

Indiana courts announced that parties may now file electronically in confidential case types including adoption, child in need of services, termination of parental rights, and juvenile cases. The change took effect Monday.

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Adoptee birth-records bill passes

A bill long sought by Hoosiers adopted between 1941 and 1993 and denied their birth records passed the Indiana General Assembly Monday and heads to the desk of Gov. Mike Pence.

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