No Paternity Established Adoption

[TLT]

State of Indiana.
11 years ago my husband was told he was the father of a child - there was never a paternity test - the child's grandparents adopted the child - he did go to the adoption hearing and was told that since paternity had never been established the adoption would be granted. I have read Q & A's and have gotten some info but we still have some questions.
*If the grandparents decide they are getting up in age or that the daughter is now able to care for the child - can the daughter adopt the child and can she then come to my husband for support?
*Would my husband have to have the grandparent's permission to prove paternity?
*It seems that now if my husband proved paternity he could contest the adoption?
*If he decides to prove paternity but not contest the adoption - Is he the only one that can contest - or can anyone else come forward now knowing paternity?
*Since the daughter let the grandparents adopt her child I assume she now has no rights to the child unless in the case of the above question?
Thank you for any help you can give.

 

[dorenephilpot]

I'm an attorney in Indiana and will try to answer your question:

If the adoption 11 years ago went through, NEITHER of the child's biological parents has any rights/say so as to the child.

If it was an open adoption that allowed for visits, then the bio parent would have THOSE rights, however.

He would have no say in what happens to the child if the grandparents were to suddenly die.

Now, he could come forward if he found out the child was up for adoption again, but he probably wouldn't have any special power as to the result. In other words, he, like several other people, could ask to be the adoptive parent, and the court might seriously consider his request, but given the span of time, he probably wouldn't be given preferential treatment over anyone else -- especially over someone who has been in the child's life for years.

Hope this helps. Let me know if you have other questions.

Sorry it took awhile to get a response to you. I've been in trial and out of town the last two weeks.....