Foster Parents: Is Your Child’s Permanency Plan Changing to Adoption? Here’s What You Do Next

By: Grant Kirsh

If you’re a foster parent in Indiana and your child’s permanency plan is changing to adoption — or has already changed – this is your sign to call an adoption attorney right now. Not next week. Not after TPR is granted. Now. At Kirsh & Kirsh, P.C., we’ve been helping foster parents across Indiana adopt their foster children for nearly 50 years. We know this process inside and out, and we’re here to make sure you don’t miss a single important step.

Don’t Wait for TPR

One of the biggest mistakes foster parents make is waiting until Termination of Parental Rights (TPR) is granted before hiring an attorney. By that point, you may have already missed opportunities to protect your rights and your child’s future.

As soon as the permanency plan changes to adoption, that’s your green light. Call us. The earlier we get involved, the better we can advocate for you and your child.

Your FCM Cannot Give You Legal Advice

Has your DCS Family Case Manager (FCM) told you to wait before hiring an attorney? We hear this all the time – and here’s something important you need to know: DCS is not allowed to give you legal advice. That includes telling you when to hire a lawyer.

Your FCM may mean well, but their job is to manage the case – not to protect your legal interests. That’s our job. Don’t let well-meaning advice from someone who isn’t your attorney delay you from getting the legal help you need.

We Work in Every County in Indiana

No matter where you live in Indiana, Kirsh & Kirsh is ready to help. We handle foster care adoptions in all 92 counties across the state – from Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Evansville, and South Bend to smaller communities in every corner of Indiana. You don’t have to find a local attorney. We’ve got you covered, wherever you are.

We Accept the State’s $2,000 Adoption Assistance Payment

Worried about legal fees? Here’s some good news. The State of Indiana provides a $2,000 payment to help cover legal costs for foster care adoptions. Kirsh & Kirsh accepts that payment directly toward our legal fees. For many families, that covers a significant portion – or all – of the cost of their adoption.

Sibling Groups? We’ve Got Experience.

Adopting a sibling group is one of the most beautiful – and most complex – things a foster parent can do. We are well versed in sibling group adoptions and understand the unique legal steps involved in keeping brothers and sisters together. If you’re fostering siblings and want to adopt them as a group, we know exactly how to make that happen.

The Bottom Line

If your foster child’s permanency plan is moving toward adoption, here’s what you need to do:

• Don’t wait for TPR to be granted
• Don’t delay because your FCM told you to wait
• Do call Kirsh & Kirsh, P.C. as soon as possible

We are compassionate, experienced, and ready to fight for your family. With nearly 50 years of adoption law experience in Indiana, there is no firm better equipped to help you bring your foster child home for good.

Call Kirsh & Kirsh, P.C. today. Your child’s future is worth it.