Despite the many positive benefits offered by adoption, it can be a complex and time-consuming process. This is why if you or a loved one is seeking to adopt in Morgan County, Martinsville, or anywhere else in Indiana, it’s vitally important you contact one of the compassionate yet dedicated attorneys at AJM Legal, LLC.

We pride ourselves on helping people add new members to their families and providing children with safe and loving forever homes. One of our attorneys can review the adoption process with you and ensure you have a smooth adoption journey.

Many people believe there are certain barriers to adoption, such as being single or being under a certain age. This is not true. While some factors may make adoption easier for certain individuals, such as a family member, there are no barriers to adoption based on societal factors. This means that single women, single men, LGBTQ+ individuals, and others may apply to adopt a child or children in the same way as a married couple.

One exception to this is a criminal record. Part of the adoption process is passing a criminal background check. Although a criminal conviction is not necessarily grounds for automatically denying adoption, it can make the process challenging. For example, someone convicted of a violent felony or sex crime would probably face difficulty in adoption proceedings. Someone convicted of a misdemeanor or non-violent felony, like financial crimes, may have an easier path. An experienced adoption attorney can review your case and determine if you might face any legal hurdles in the adoption process.

The adoption process can vary according to a variety of factors, including but not necessarily limited to whether you are adopting from an agency, adopting a foster child, adopting a relative such as a stepchild, grandchild, or niece/nephew, and more.

Although the precise procedure may vary according to circumstances, the adoption process generally includes, but is not necessarily limited to:

• Passing a Criminal Background Check
• Passing a Home Visit Study

The exact procedure, how long it may take, and how you will go about adopting will vary according to your circumstances. For example, if you wish to adopt a foster child or a child who is not related to you, the process may be more involved than if you wish to adopt a relative.. An attorney can review your case and determine the easiest and quickest route forward to adding a new member to your family.

Many people wish to adopt babies or even newborns so that they may have the experience of raising a child “as their own.” Most people who adopt newborns find it a positive and rewarding experience. However, due to the number of individuals who wish to adopt an infant instead of an older child, newborn adoption can prove challenging.

Adopting a newborn involves either identifying a mother who wishes to place her child up for adoption or going through an agency. While agencies may be one of the more reliable options, finding the correct agency can be challenging. Working with an adoption agency for a newborn child also involves a great deal of paperwork, legal decisions, and potentially involves further screenings and interviews. An experienced Indiana adoption attorney can help you through the process if you wish to adopt a newborn.

Foster children are kids who have either been removed from their previous home for their own safety or whose family members are no longer able to care for them due to incapacitation or death. Foster children are said to “go into the system,” which involves them being placed with volunteer foster parents who have agreed to care for them until they either reach the age of majority or are adopted into a new home.

As of 2025, there are over 13,000 foster children “in the system.” Many foster parents grow close to the children they take in and choose to adopt them. The foster adoption process is rewarding but unique, and involves its own legal challenges. If you or a loved one is a foster parent who wishes to adopt one or more of your foster children, one of the compassionate adoption attorneys at AJM Legal, LLC can help you.

Many people choose to formally adopt one or more of their stepchildren. This can be a rewarding experience that further bonds families and offers extra legal protections and privileges to the child. Although adopting a stepchild may not be as complex as other forms of adoption, it still involves a series of legal procedures that must be followed. Some of these procedures involve filing a petition, receiving written consent from your spouse, and formally notifying the child’s other biological parent if they are still alive.

In some instances, you may face a challenge to stepchild adoption if the biological parent wishes to block the adoption, which may result in a contested hearing before a judge. 

Many of the same procedures must be followed if you are adopting another relative, such as a grandchild. Having a family law attorney is necessary for these kinds of family adoptions to ensure the process moves smoothly.

Adoption is a rewarding process that allows individuals to expand their families while providing love and safety to children who especially need it. Adoption is also a complex and time-consuming process. Many people are initially intimidated by the time and paperwork involved. Allowing yourself to be daunted by the practicalities of adoption can prevent you from building your happy family. That’s why if you or a loved one wishes to adopt in Indiana, you must contact AJM Legal, LLC right away.

Our dedicated attorneys can help you through the adoption process and handle the most difficult steps of the process for you. This can allow you to focus on getting ready to expand your new family. Don’t hesitate- if you or a loved one wishes to adopt in Indiana, call AJM Legal, LLC at (765) 342-1962 to schedule your free consultation.