CHAPTER 15. EFFECT OF ADOPTION ON PARENTS
IC 31-19-15
Chapter 15. Effect of Adoption on Parents
IC 31-19-15-1
Effect upon duties, obligations, and rights of biological parents;
parent-child relationship terminated
Sec. 1. (a) Except as provided in section 2 of this chapter or
IC 31-19-16, if the biological parents of an adopted person are alive,
the biological parents are:
(1) relieved of all legal duties and obligations to the adopted
child; and
(2) divested of all rights with respect to the child;
and the parent-child relationship is terminated after the adoption
unless the parent-child relationship was terminated by an earlier
court action, operation of law, or otherwise.
(b) The obligation to support the adopted person continues until
the entry of the adoption decree. The entry of the adoption decree
does not extinguish the obligation to pay past due child support owed
for the adopted person before the entry of the adoption decree.
As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.11. Amended by P.L.130-2005, SEC.8;
P.L.58-2009, SEC.24.
IC 31-19-15-2
Stepparent adoptions
Sec. 2. (a) If the adoptive parent of a child is married to a
biological parent of the child, the parent-child relationship of the
biological parent is not affected by the adoption.
(b) If the adoptive parent of a child is married to a previous
adoptive parent, the parent-child relationship of the previous
adoptive parent is not affected by the adoption.
(c) After the adoption, the adoptive father or mother, or both:
(1) occupy the same position toward the child that the adoptive
father or the adoptive mother, or both, would occupy if the
adoptive father or adoptive mother, or both, were the biological
father or mother; and
(2) are jointly and severally liable for the maintenance and
education of the person.
As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.11. Amended by P.L.130-2005, SEC.9.