Comprehensive Adoption Services in Pittsburgh
Experienced Adoption Attorneys in Allegheny County
Adopting a child is a major life decision that deserves the help of an experienced attorney. At Notaro Epstein Family Law Group, P.C., our Pittsburgh adoption attorneys have dedicated their careers to providing family law services. For us, helping families isn’t just a subset of our career—it’s the focus of our lives.
Contact our Pittsburgh adoption attorneys online or at (412) 281-1988 to find out how we will assist you through this crucial moment of your life.
Eligibility Criteria for Prospective Adoptive Parents
Any person can adopt. If a married couple is seeking to adopt, both spouses must join in the adoption or the spouse who has not joined in the petition for adoption must give his or her consent.
Understanding Who is Eligible for Adoption
Just as any person can adopt, any person can be adopted as well. There is no age requirement in Pennsylvania, which means that an adult is free to adopt another adult. If a child is being adopted, they must give consent if they are 12 years of age or older.
Legal Process for Adopting a Child in Pennsylvania
Once parents have adopted a child, they have the same rights and responsibilities as they would if they were the biological parents. Any time a minor is put up for adoption, Pennsylvania requires both birth parents’ consent. In consenting to the adoption, both parents acknowledge that they are relinquishing their rights to the child.
The birth mother must wait at least 72 hours after the birth of the child to give her consent, while the father can consent at any time. Parties consenting to adoption from outside of Pennsylvania must do so in a way that satisfies the legal requirements of their state.
The consent of the birth mother is always necessary. If the birth mother is married but can show the court that her husband is not the natural father, then the husband’s consent is unnecessary. However, if the birth mother cannot offer this proof, her husband is required to consent to the adoption if he was married to the birth mother at least one year before the child was born. Additionally, both birth parents have a right to revoke their consent. The father has 30 days after the birth of the child or the execution of the consent to revoke his consent. In contrast, the birth mother has 30 days after she executed the consent to revoke.
Award-Winning Business
Notaro Epstein Family Law Group, P.C. proudly accepts the following recognition as proven success of our current clientele.
We promise to give you the same recognition when you choose to hire us.
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