What are the requirements for stepparent adoption in Pennsylvania?

A stepparent must be legally married to the child's biological parent to pursue adoption. The process requires consent from the other biological parent, unless their rights have been terminated. Your stepchild must also consent if they are 12 years or older.

How do LGBTQ couples establish legal parentage through adoption in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania recognizes second-parent adoption, allowing a non-biological parent to adopt their partner's child while maintaining the first parent's rights. Both married and unmarried LGBTQ couples can pursue this option. The process protects both parents' legal relationship with their child.

What if the other biological parent won't consent to stepparent adoption?

If the other parent has not maintained contact or provided support for at least six months, their rights may be terminated involuntarily. The court considers factors like the parent's involvement, support payments, and the child's best interests before making this decision.

How long does the stepparent or second-parent adoption process take?

Once you file the petition and complete the necessary documentation, the process typically takes 3-6 months. This includes background checks, home study requirements, and court proceedings. The timeline may vary based on court schedules and specific circumstances.

Do we need a home study for a stepparent or second-parent adoption?

Pennsylvania often waives the home study requirement for stepparent adoptions where the child already lives in the home. For second-parent adoptions, requirements vary by county, but many courts require a basic home study to confirm the child's well-being.

What rights does adoption give to stepparents and second parents?

Adoption creates permanent legal rights identical to those of biological parents. This includes decision-making authority for education and medical care, inheritance rights, and custody rights if the marriage ends. The adoptive parent assumes full legal and financial responsibility for the child.

Montgomery County Adoption Lawyer | Adoption Attorney in Rockledge, PA

Adoption Attorney in Rockledge, PA Specializing in Family Formation in Montgomery County, Bucks County, and Throughout The Philadelphia Area

At Blessing Law, a Montgomery County adoption lawyer is equipped to help families grow through adoption across the Philadelphia area and Southern Pennsylvania. From our welcoming Rockledge office, we guide you through each step of the adoption process, whether you're a stepparent seeking to adopt, a same-sex couple pursuing second-parent adoption, or a family exploring other adoption paths.

Our team understands that forming a family through adoption involves both emotional and legal considerations. An adoption attorney in Rockledge, PA, from our firm will offer multiple approaches to meet your needs, including collaborative methods that can make the process smoother for everyone involved. Through flexible payment arrangements and clear communication, we work to keep adoption accessible while protecting your new family bonds.

Why You Should Choose the Montgomery County Adoption Lawyers at Blessing Law

If you are a step-parent who seeks to adopt your spouse’s child or a member of a same-sex couple who hopes to adopt your partner’s child, our law firm can help. The adoption process differs slightly from county to county in Pennsylvania, making it important to have an attorney who knows the procedures in the appropriate county.

Attorney Maribeth Blessing has successfully concluded numerous step-parent adoptions and same-sex parent adoptions in Montgomery, Philadelphia, Bucks, and Delaware Counties. Attorney Blessing has been practicing family law for more than 20 years and has the knowledge and experience needed to bring an adoption to a successful conclusion. She is ready to help you with the process, too.

Our Approach to Adoptions

As proponents of alternative dispute resolution and collaborative law, our lawyers seek to resolve disputes arising from proposed adoptions in the least confrontational way possible. We work hard to obtain the other parent’s consent rather than pushing for litigation to terminate his or her parental rights. We make sure the other parent understands the financial and personal advantages of having a child adopted by his or her ex-spouse’s new partner.

Services Our Montgomery County Adoption Lawyers Offer

Creating and protecting legal family bonds through adoption requires experienced guidance and understanding. An adoption attorney in Rockledge, PA, can help families navigate various types of adoptions. Our team provides compassionate support while ensuring all legal requirements are met for a successful adoption process.

Stepparent Adoptions

Stepparent adoption creates a permanent legal relationship between a stepparent and child, providing security and stability for blended families. Our team guides you through each step of the process, from obtaining the necessary consent to finalizing the adoption in court. We help you understand your rights and responsibilities while ensuring all legal requirements are met to protect your new family bonds.

Terminating Parental Rights

If a Montgomery County adoption lawyer from our firm is unsuccessful at obtaining the biological parent’s agreement, we will begin proceedings for termination of parental rights. Pennsylvania law requires that the parent whose rights are to be terminated must have had no contact with the child for six months before an adoption can proceed. We represent both step-parents and biological parents in adoption proceedings.

Same-Sex Couple Adoption

We help a same-sex partner of a biological parent or adoptive parent adopt his or her partner’s child, providing important legal protections. The process requires a home study, the completion of an adoption petition, and a hearing. Our adoption attorney in Rockledge, PA, helps clients prepare for the home study and hearing and complete the required documents correctly.

Get More Information About Adoption From the Montgomery County Adoption Lawyers at Blessing Law

Adoption is an amazing process that helps parents and children come together and makes families more secure. As your adoption attorney in Rockledge, PA, we will guide you through each step with care and dedication, ensuring your family's journey is as smooth as possible.

Our Montgomery County adoption lawyer understands the profound impact of building families through adoption. We help families throughout Montgomery County, Bucks County, and the Philadelphia area navigate their adoption journey with confidence.

To learn more about the adoption process or our services, please call 215-608-6236. You can also contact us online.