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Bucks County Divorce Attorneys > Bucks County Adoption Attorney

Bucks County Adoption Attorney

Making the decision to adopt a child in Bucks County is a profound and joyful experience for the family that is being created. There are many reasons for adoption, from adopting a child through an agency or foster care adoption to adopting a stepchild or adopting as a same-sex couple. At Kardos, Rickles & Hand, our knowledgeable Bucks County adoption attorneys have helped many clients in the Newtown area navigate the legal process of adoption for new families and are prepared to assist with all your legal needs. To learn more about the adoption process, call or contact our office today.

The Process for Agency and Foster Care Adoptions

If you have decided to adopt a child in Pennsylvania, there are a few steps that are typically required in the adoption process. For parents adopting a child through an agency, you must first fill out an application and go through a screening process. This may include financial disclosures, letters of recommendation, criminal background checks, and an interview. The next step is a home study, where your home is evaluated to ensure that it is a safe environment for a child. This step also allows the prospective parents to ask questions about the process.

The next step is placement, where prospective parents meet the child and spend time with them to determine if it is a good match. The child is then placed in the home, and social workers visit regularly for the next six months. Next, a petition for adoption is filed with the court that includes a report of the home study, application, check ins, and any other relevant information. Finally, you will attend an adoption hearing, and if the court approves after hearing testimony from the parents, child, and others involved in the case it will issue an order that makes the adoption official.

The Adoption Process for Stepparents

The adoption process for stepparents can be different from prospective parents adopting through an agency. The main issue with stepparent adoption is the termination of parental rights for one of the biological parents. The law allows for two people to have parental rights over a child, which means that in order for a stepparent to adopt one biological parent must pass away or have their rights terminated. The termination of parental rights can either be voluntarily, where the parent willingly signs away their legal rights to a child, or involuntarily through the courts. Involuntary termination of parental rights is often a high bar, which is why you should always have an experienced family law attorney representing you in a stepparent adoption case.

Talk to Our Office Now

Adopting a child can be one of the greatest experiences for you and the child that you are bringing into your life. Let the knowledgeable Bucks County family law attorneys at Kardos, Rickles & Hand handle the legal issues associated with your case so that you can focus on your new family. To learn more, call the office or contact us today to schedule a consultation of your adoption case.

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