What to Expect from During a Pennsylvania Kinship Adoption
Couples seeking to add a child to their family through adoption will undoubtedly have many questions. This is also true when a person is the child’s relative, be that an aunt, uncle, or grandparent. Adoption can be a celebratory time within a family, but there is a process in place in Pennsylvania to be sure the child is moving into a safe home.
As with many legal processes, adoptions can be complicated. Avoid frustrating roadblocks and talk to a Bucks County family attorney about how to adopt a child and what you need to know in order to get the process started. There may be parts of the process you never considered but are essential to making the adoption smooth and legal.
What Is Kinship Adoption?
Kinship adoption is the process of adopting a family member, legally and permanently. Because even if a child is a loved member of a family who lives in your home, you may not have parental rights under Pennsylvania law. The biological parents may still have rights.
There are also times when a kinship adoption could be applicable to a family friend who is close to the child, a person who has a lasting relationship that feels like family. If a child needs to be separated from their biological parents, because the parents have released their parental rights or in the event of their deaths, kinship adoption is often the best path and is given priority over adults who would like to adopt a child but are not a family member or a close friend of the family.
The steps in an adoption process can vary, but will typically include the following:
- Filing adoption paperwork
- Completion of documentation and reports
- Obtaining consents from the biological parents
- Court hearings
- Placement
An experienced lawyer can walk a family through each step. Having legal support is a way to streamline the entire process and sidestep any errors that could be made by someone who is not aware of Pennsylvania complex and detail-specific adoption process.
Why Choose Adoption of a Relative?
Even when a child is living with you and has been for an extended period of time, it can be advantageous to move forward with an adoption. Doing so will give the adult full parental rights. It is a way to be sure the child is legally a member of the family under Pennsylvania law.
A Bucks County family attorney can help with a variety of family law concerns, including adoption, divorce, spousal and child support, protection from abuse orders, and more. Because of their range of experience, the attorneys at Kardos, Rickles & Hand also have access to knowledgeable psychologists and other professionals that can help in the adoption process.
Are you interested in adopting a family member in Pennsylvania? Talk to the attorneys at Kardos, Rickles & Hand. Schedule your consultation today, call 215-968-6602.
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