A Law Firm Handling All Your Adoption Needs

Last updated on June 13, 2024

The adoption of a child brings great happiness to families. At Bumb Law Office, LLC, our team is experienced in handling adoptions in Indiana, particularly the adoption of a child by a stepparent. Be sure that your adoption proceeding is handled properly. The complex legal process of adoption requires the knowledge and skill of a seasoned attorney. Our lawyer, Laurie Baiden Bumb, utilizes over 40 years of legal experience to assist families with the adoption process. When you hire our firm, she will ensure that the adoption proceeds properly through the court system, ultimately securing the well-being of your child and family.

Handling Guardianships With Care

If you need to establish a guardianship over a loved one with special needs, we can guide you through all of the necessary legal details. A mistake or oversight in the process could derail your plans, even leading to disruptive disputes or costly litigation. Our attorney is here to make sure the process of establishing a guardianship runs smoothly so you can focus on your family. If disputes do arise, she will provide you with skilled representation in contested guardianship proceedings.

Grandparents’ Visitation Rights In Cases Of Grandchild Adoption

Grandparents often play an important and beneficial role in the lives of their grandkids. Unfortunately, these relationships can be damaged or even severed by major changes in the family, including parental divorce or the death of one parent.

If you have tragically lost your adult child, your grief might be compounded if you now find yourself at odds with the other parent of your grandchildren. Do you have any legal options if the other parent denies visitation? Will your rights change if your grandkids are adopted by a stepparent?

When Can Grandparent Visitation Be Ordered?

Thankfully, you likely do have legal options for seeking court-ordered visitation. Under Indiana law, grandparents can seek visitation rights under the following circumstances:

• Either set of grandparents can seek visitation when their grandchild’s parents are getting divorced.
• If a child was born outside of wedlock but paternity has been established, the paternal grandparents can seek visitation.
• If one of the grandchild’s parents has died, the grandparents on that side of the family can seek visitation, regardless of whether their grandchildren have been adopted by a stepparent.

It is important to note that Indiana courts respect the rights of parents to decide who can be involved in their children’s lives. These rights often take precedence over the visitation rights of grandparents. However, courts can decide to award grandparent visitation rights in the circumstances listed above if doing so would serve the best interests of the grandchild.

In many cases, visitation rights would be awarded to preserve an existing relationship between grandchildren and grandparents after a major family change. If there has previously been no relationship, it is unlikely that court-ordered visitation would be granted.

Each case is unique, so please discuss your legal options with an attorney who is experienced in family law.

Contact Us Today To Arrange A Consultation

If you are seeking to adopt a child or establish a guardianship in Indiana, Bumb Law is here to guide you through the legal process. To arrange a consultation with our office in Evansville, contact us online or call us at 812-913-5007. We serve clients throughout southwest Indiana.