Ind. Code ch. 31-19-15

in effect

Ind. Code § 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. [Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-3-1-9(a).] As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.11. Amended by P.L.130-2005, SEC.8; P.L.58-2009, SEC.24.

Ind. Code § 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. [Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-3-1-9(b).] As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.11. Amended by P.L.130-2005, SEC.9.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/31Fetched: 10/17/2026