What to Expect at the Adoption Finalization Hearing in Indiana

By: Grant Kirsh

After months, sometimes years, of waiting, paperwork, court dates, and uncertainty, there is one moment that makes it all worth it: the adoption finalization hearing. It is the day a judge officially makes a child a permanent, legal member of your family forever.

At Kirsh & Kirsh, P.C., we have been honored to be part of nearly 3,000 of these moments for Indiana families. We are a family-run law firm based right here in Indiana, and we serve families in Marion County, Hamilton County, Lake County, Allen County, St. Joseph County, Tippecanoe County, Hendricks County, Elkhart County, Johnson County, Delaware County, Vanderburgh County, Porter County, Madison County, Vigo County, Monroe County, and across the state.

Here is what you can expect at your adoption finalization hearing.

What Is the Finalization Hearing?

The finalization hearing is a brief court proceeding at which a judge reviews the adoption paperwork, confirms that all legal requirements have been met, and officially enters the order of adoption. Once that order is signed, the child is legally your son or daughter, with all the rights and permanency that comes with that.

It is one of the most joyful moments in the entire foster care adoption process.

How Long Does the Hearing Take?

Finalization hearings are typically short, often 15 to 30 minutes. They are not contentious proceedings. By the time you get to finalization, parental rights have already been terminated and all the hard legal work is behind you. The hearing itself is a celebration.

Who Is There?

You and your family will be there, of course. Your adoption attorney will be there. The judge will be presiding. In many counties across Indiana, DCS workers and GALs or CASAs who have been involved in the case also attend to celebrate with the family.

Many families bring extended family members, friends, and sometimes the child’s foster care support network. At Kirsh & Kirsh, P.C. we always strive to make these hearings warm and celebratory occasions. Some judges wear fun ties or give the child a small gift.

I like to bring “ADOPTION DAY!” balloons for all of the children in attendance and my most trusted and furry co-worker, Basil, attends those final hearings as well to bring joy and smiles to everyone in attendance.

What Does the Child Experience?

For the child, finalization day is often an enormous emotional milestone. Many children have been waiting a long time for permanency. For them, this day means something that goes beyond legal paperwork, it means they belong somewhere, to someone, forever.

Talk to your child about what to expect at the hearing in age-appropriate terms. Help them understand that this is a happy day, a day that is entirely about them and their forever family.

What Happens After?

Once the adoption is finalized, you will receive a new birth certificate listing you as the parent or parents. The child’s legal name may be changed at this point if that is what your family has decided. All prior DCS involvement in the case is officially closed.

And then, you go home as a family. Legally, permanently, and completely.

We Are Honored to Be Part of This Moment

At Kirsh & Kirsh, P.C., finalization days are our favorite days. After nearly 3,000 foster care adoptions across Indiana, we still feel the weight and the joy of what these moments mean. We would be honored to guide your family to yours.

Call us at 317-575-5555. Visit us at DCSAdoptions.com.

About the Author
Grant Kirsh is a second-generation adoption attorney and owner of Kirsh & Kirsh, P.C., a family law firm in Indianapolis, Indiana that has been serving Indiana families since 1981. Grant graduated from Indiana University McKinney School of Law in 2013 and has personally handled nearly 3,000 foster care adoptions and his law firm has handled over 5,000 private newborn adoptions. He practices all forms of domestic adoption, with a deep personal commitment to expectant mothers considering adoption in Indiana and Indiana’s foster care system and the families and children it serves.