| Adopting a grandchild or grandchildren is a noble and | | | | includes, abandonment, abuse, or incarceration. When |
| caring gesture for any grandparent. There are several | | | | a grandparent adopts a grandchild it is like any other |
| situations in which a grandparent in Indiana can adopt | | | | adoption. The parent will have no longer have |
| a grandchild. Some children, as adults and parents, can | | | | parental rights to the child. |
| become ill, get caught up in bad behavior, such as | | | | Relative Adoption is Less Formal |
| drinking and driving and get into other trouble with | | | | Grandparents adopting grandchildren is a less formal |
| the law. Indiana court systems will grant custody to a | | | | type of adoption. Most states, including Indiana, will |
| grandparent rather than put the child or children into | | | | not require the scrutiny that a non-relative adoption |
| foster care. | | | | requires. There will be a home study and a few |
| The Beginning: Child in Need of Services | | | | interviews. But far less than what a non-relative |
| Initially, the Indiana court will order the child to be in | | | | adoption requires. |
| need of social services. Indiana Child Protection | | | | Courts place grandchildren with grandparents |
| Services will then attempt to locate a family member, | | | | temporarily, or through more permanent adoption |
| beginning with a grandparent. The grandparents will | | | | procedures. These cases are decided on an individual |
| then become legal guardians. | | | | basis, in the best interest of the child and the rest of |
| When the Children Need Care Longer | | | | the family. If the parent has become permanently |
| Indiana Child Protection Services and the court, may | | | | unable to care for the children through death, illness, |
| recommend a more permanent solution for the care | | | | or an extended incarceration, a grandparent can |
| of the children. There are specific reasons that a | | | | choose to adopt the grandchild in Indiana. |
| parents rights can be terminated. In Indiana this | | | | |