Consolidated paternity and adoption proceedings
Sec. 14. (a) If a petition for adoption and a petition to establish
paternity are pending at the same time for a child sought to be
adopted, the court in which the petition for adoption has been filed
has exclusive jurisdiction over the child, and the paternity proceeding
must be consolidated with the adoption proceeding.
(b) If the petition for adoption is dismissed, the court hearing the
consolidated adoption and paternity proceeding shall determine who
has custody of the child under IC 31-19-11-5.
(c) Following a dismissal of the adoption petition under
subsection (b), the court may:
(1) retain jurisdiction over the paternity proceeding; or
(2) return the paternity proceeding to the court in which it was
originally filed.
If the paternity proceeding is returned to the court in which it was
originally filed, the court assumes jurisdiction over the child, subject
to any provisions of the consolidated court's order under
IC 31-19-11-5.
As added by P.L.61-2003, SEC.3.
Last modified: May 24, 2006