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 orIC 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 adoptedchild; and
        (2) divested of all rights with respect to the child;
and the parent-child relationship is terminated after the adoptionunless the parent-child relationship was terminated by an earliercourt action, operation of law, or otherwise.
    (b) The obligation to support the adopted person continues untilthe entry of the adoption decree. The entry of the adoption decreedoes not extinguish the obligation to pay past due child support owedfor 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 abiological parent of the child, the parent-child relationship of thebiological parent is not affected by the adoption.
    (b) If the adoptive parent of a child is married to a previousadoptive parent, the parent-child relationship of the previousadoptive 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 adoptivefather or the adoptive mother, or both, would occupy if theadoptive father or adoptive mother, or both, were the biologicalfather or mother; and
        (2) are jointly and severally liable for the maintenance andeducation of the person.
As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.11. Amended by P.L.130-2005, SEC.9.