Pittsburgh Step-Parent Adoption Lawyer
Unlike other adoptions in Pennsylvania, PA stepparent adoptions require the termination of only one parent’s rights to complete the adoption. However, stepparents desiring to adopt their stepson or stepdaughter should not be misled to believe that this makes the adoption process any less complex.
The ease of a step-parent adoption in Pennsylvania depends heavily on the existing family dynamic. Because all stepparent adoptions require either (1) the consent of the other birth parent; or (2) a court order terminating the other birth parent’s parental rights, how easily a stepparent adoption can be accomplished often depends on the degree of cooperation that can be expected from the other birth parent.
For example, in some cases the other birth parent may recognize that the stepparent adoption is in the child’s best interest, therefore making their consent easy to obtain. However, if a birth parent is unwilling to consent to a termination of parental rights, stepparents must proceed through the court to obtain an Involuntary Termination of Parental Rights. In a scenario where the other birth parent refuses to consent to termination, the court will hear evidence and testimony and it will be the burden of the party desiring to terminate the parent’s rights to prove one of the grounds for Involuntary Termination of Parental Rights as set forth in Pennsylvania Adoption Law.
Contact Our Allegheny County Step-Parent Adoption Attorneys Today
Contact our Pittsburgh adoption lawyers to speak with one of our experienced Allegheny County adoption lawyers and learn how we can help you build your family through adoption. You may also telephone our PA adoption law firm by calling:
Pittsburgh Allegheny County office at 412-281-9906
Canonsburg Washington County office at 724-436-5500
Cranberry Township Butler County, PA office at 724-776-9906
Clearfield County office at 814-290-0587
Toll-free at 1-844-VARI-LAW.
Our stepparent adoption law offices are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and evenings by appointment. Appointments may also be available in other meeting locations throughout Pennsylvania upon advance arrangements with our office. Ask the secretary scheduling your appointment for details including appointment locations.