Same-Sex Couples Adoptions in Pennsyvania
The State of Pennsylvania supports adoptions by parents who are well-suited to the challenging but extremely rewarding endeavor, and this naturally includes same-sex couples. If you and your partner are both at least 21 years old and are committed to doing everything it takes to parent a little one through to adulthood, you are good candidates for becoming adoptive parents. An experienced adoption attorney at Purdy Law is well prepared to help.
If You Are Married vs If You Are Not
If you and your partner are married, which makes you spouses, the adoption process for you as a same-sex couple will proceed the same way as all adoptions. If you are not married, however, it is a different matter.
Generally, unmarried couples cannot adopt a child together in a single petition. Instead, one of you could adopt on your own while the other could take the second-parent adoption path, but the state may require that parent to explain why the two of you can’t marry. In other words, adopting as a married couple is usually a more streamlined process than adopting separately, and this applies to couples of all sexual orientations.
Same-Sex Couples Have the Same Opportunities as Married Couples Do
If you and your partner are married, you have the same opportunities as other couples do. It’s important to keep in mind, however, that the process involves all the following complexities:
- It’s legally challenging
- It tends to be time-consuming and costly
- You must be willing to endure what many people consider a grueling home study
- You must submit to probing interview questions
The rewards of adoption, however, are difficult to overstate.
Private Adoption Agencies
One point that should be raised about same-sex couple adoptions is that, if you’re working with a private adoption agency, you could face some hurdles. Many, but by no means all, private adoption agencies define themselves as faith-based. This can translate to being very conservative and not being as supportive of same-sex couples who want to adopt.
Throughout the adoption process, others may be involved who are less informed than required by law. Working closely with an accomplished adoption lawyer from the outset comes with considerable advantages. These include their legal expertise, familiarity with the system, and an unwavering focus on your legal rights.
Reach Out to an Experienced Adoption Attorney Today
The diligent adoption lawyers at Purdy Law recognize how challenging the adoption process tends to be and appreciate the fact that it can be more so for same-sex couples. The law, however, supports the rights of those who qualify to adopt, and we will take every step necessary to help make your Harrisburg, PA adoption journey a success. Learn how we can help by contacting us online or calling 717-674-2885 today.