Blog: Adoption

10/10/19

How does stepparent adoption work in Pennsylvania?

When your child’s other parent does not share custody or parenting time and you have remarried, you and your new spouse may wish to pursue a stepparent adoption. With this arrangement, the noncustodial parent must agree to legally terminate his or her rights and your spouse would become your child’s legal parent. Read on to learn more about the process of Pennsylvania stepparent adoption. Seeking permission from the other parent Often, the child’s other parent...

8/14/18

Can my child ask their stepparent to adopt them?

Many pop culture portrayals of stepparents cast these family members as villains or having a contentious relationship with their stepchild. In reality, some stepparents are more loving and parental to their spouse’s children than biological parents. Children who feel a close bond with their stepparent and don’t have that same connection to a biological parent may want to ask their stepparent to adopt them. A quick YouTube search of “stepparent adoption” will produce a few...

4/28/16

Seeking an adoption in Pennsylvania

There are a variety of different types of parents in Pennsylvania and across the country. In addition to parents who are hands on or those who take a different approach, there are parents who have a biological connection to a child and those who do not. For many of the families without the biological relationship to the child, it does not change the person’s impact or role in the child’s life. In some cases, it...

3/24/16

Family who wants adoption loses custody of foster child

During what could be times of severe stress for children in Pennsylvania, there are often foster homes willing to step in and provide stability and love. While in many cases, these homes are a temporary stop, others could turn into a more permanent arrangement through The family claims that the young girl had been in two previous foster homes before she came to live with them at the age of two. In 2012, there...

12/11/15

Adoption of a stepchild can be smooth or challenging

The adoption process is one that brings a family together and creates a cohesive unit, both legally and emotionally for parents and children. When a step-parent wants to adopt the child of his or her spouse, there are several steps. Those steps will involve the biological parent and that alone can make the adoption process challenging in some cases in Pennsylvania. The adoption process can occur in a smooth and timely manner if that biological...

8/12/15

Adoption situations in Pennsylvania can vary greatly

Adoption cases can be emotional and complicated for parents, potential parents and children involved. No two adoption situations are alike just as no two Pennsylvania families are alike. Whether it is a simple or complicated adoption, there are legal procedures in place and knowledge of the law that needs to be brought to the table because each case can be vastly different and the adoption process in each Pennsylvania county can be different. Most parties...

5/13/15

Terminating parental rights can be part of adoption process

Adoption is a very emotional and complicated area of family law. Each case can vary widely compared to the next. In many cases, the adoption process may entail the termination of parental rights. This aspect of an adoption is one area that can either be a simple matter of consent or can lead to litigation for a Pennsylvania family. One approach to termination of parental rights in order to proceed with an adoption is to...

4/21/15

We can help with smooth navigation of adoption process

Adoption is a highly personal and emotional journey for families under any circumstances. When the adoption process involves same sex couples or step-parent adoptions, the adoption process should be as smooth as possible for everyone involved. Nevertheless, Pennsylvania parents and soon-to-be parents may find the process anything but smooth, necessitating the help of legal representatives. When a step-parent or same sex partner wants to adopt his or her spouse’s child, the biological parent of that...

3/3/15

The adoption process may get complicated for families

Adoption is a highly personal and emotional part of family law. The adoption process itself may be very complicated for Pennsylvania families to understand or work through. Different types of adoption may prove more challenging than others, particularly when it comes to same-sex parent adoption in Pennsylvania. Adoptions in Pennsylvania vary based on county. This is why it is important to understand the unique regional requirements. Same-sex adoption may involve adopting a partner’s or spouse’s...

12/5/14

Adoption requires individual attention for Pennsylvania families

The decision to adopt is just the first step for a family that wishes to grow. The In Pennsylvania, the process varies for each county. This means having legal representation who understands the rules and laws for that particular county is a must. The first step in the adoption process usually entails having the birth parent or parents’ consent and having their parental rights terminated. Handling this portion of an adoption in a sensitive...