Evey Black Attorneys logo

Hollidaysburg: 814-317-6914 

Roaring Spring: 814-317-6254

What you need to know about adopting your stepchild in Pennsylvania

On Behalf of | Dec 9, 2021 | Family Law |

In reality, you consider your stepchild part of the family, just like you do your children. However, it is important to formalize this arrangement to avoid any loose ends.

Besides giving your child a sense of belonging, formally adopting them means that you can make decisions about important aspects of their life since the law now recognizes you as the legal parent. However, there are certain things that you need to take into consideration if you intend to adopt your stepchild.

Do you have the consent of both parents?

In most cases, the non-custodial parent has to approve the adoption. Doing so means that they waive their parental rights and can no longer be involved in the child’s life. Therefore, it is crucial to have a formal agreement that can be used as a reference point in the future.

You may not need their consent if they have had their parental rights terminated by the courts or if they have abandoned the child.

You also need to file an adoption petition

After getting consent, you are required to file an adoption petition. Here the judge will set a hearing date if they need further clarification on your adoption and also to seek consent from the child if they are above the age of 12. Usually, this process takes 60 to 90 days after which, you will be issued with a certificate of adoption that is used to apply for a new birth certificate.

Anticipate any legal issues

It is essential that you go through all the required steps in the adoption process to be on the safe side. Keeping in mind that mistakes can happen along the way, you should be well prepared for anything that may come in the course of your adoption plans.

FindLaw Network
Blair County Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame, 2004

X

YOU MAY ONLY UTILIZE THE ONLINE PAYMENT SYSTEM TO PAY INVOICES ISSUED BY EVEY BLACK ATTORNEYS LLC.

Clients may NOT use the online payment system to pay any bankruptcy matter or inheritance tax imposed in an estate administration matter (Evey Black Attorneys LLC will not issue an invoice for these matters). Additionally, any municipal authority/township/borough sewer and/or water customer may NOT make any payment related to any delinquency for which this firm is collecting. Bankruptcy, estate administration tax matters and payments related to sewer and/or water delinquencies must be paid by cash, money order, certified bank check or personal check (personal checks in sewer/water delinquency matters or for inheritance tax payments may not be allowed in certain circumstances).

USE OF THE ONLINE PAYMENT SYSTEM IN VIOLATION OF THE ABOVE WILL RESULT IN EVEY BLACK ATTORNEYS LLC REFUNDING TO THE CREDIT CARD THE AMOUNT OF MONEY ORIGINALLY CHARGED, MINUS ANY TRANSACTION FEES EVEY BLACK ATTORNEYS LLC IS CHARGED, AND A $10 SERVICE CHARGE WILL BE IMPOSED. IN THE CASE OF A BANKRUPTCY PAYMENT, THE ENTIRE BALANCE WILL BE CREDITED AND THE CLIENT WILL REMAIN RESPONSIBLE TO PAY THE TRANSACTION FEES EVEY BLACK ATTORNEYS LLC IS CHARGED PLUS A $10 SERVICE CHARGE.

By clicking to proceed below, you are acknowledging you have read and understood the above restrictions on the use of the online payment system and agree to the charges set forth herein if you make a payment in violation of such restrictions.

PROCEED