Requirements to Adopt a Child in Pennsylvania
The process of adopting a child can be invigorating, causing a prospective family to feel eager to meet their newest family member. The nuances of the process may feel intimidating, making you question whether it is worth it. If you are considering adoption or have already begun the process, the...
Read MoreAdoption Types Recognized in Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth recognizes that no family unit is quite the same. The relationships within your own family and the dynamics within your immediate family may play a significant role in determining what type of adoption is right for you. If you and your partner are considering adoption, our adoption attorneys...
Read MorePrivate vs Agency Adoption in Pennsylvania
If you are considering adoption in Pennsylvania, you can use an independent organization or an adoption agency. While a private or independent adoption can be finalized faster, there is a higher risk of the birth mother withdrawing consent. Although it is understandable to experience confusion in deciding which path is...
Read MoreHow Long Does the Adoption Process Take?
Adopting a child can be an exciting process, but also one that is filled with uncertainty. Understandably, you may want to know how long it will take before you can welcome a new child into your family. At Purdy Law, our adoption lawyers believe that guiding clients through the process...
Read MoreCan Same Sex Couples Adopt in PA?
If you have been in a long-term relationship with your partner, you may be considering expanding your family. Throughout the years, a lot of controversy has surrounded same sex adoptions. Fortunately, significant strides have been made in recent years, allowing same-sex couples equal rights. If you are a same-sex couple...
Read MoreThe Difference Between Private and Agency Adoption
Many families assume that they can figure out the adoption process on their own, forgoing representation. If you are adopting a child in Pennsylvania, you have the choice between using an adoption service agency or connecting directly with a birth mother, known as a private adoption. Each avenue comes with...
Read MoreWhat Types of Adoption are Recognized in Pennsylvania?
Adoption can be an exciting time in a couple’s life, but one that is often filled with doubt. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania recognizes that each family situation is different, with a “one size fits all” approach rarely being successful. Due to this, the state offers various types of adoptions, which...
Read MoreCan Biological Parents Revoke Adoption Consent in Pennsylvania?
If you are contemplating whether to place your child up for adoption, you deserve to understand the rights in your respective state. Understandably, this may be the most difficult decision of your life and one that should not be made lightly. By gaining familiarity with your parental rights, you can...
Read MoreTermination of Parental Rights Before Adoption in PA?
Regardless of the reason, the legal severance of parental rights must occur before a child can be legally adopted. Once parental rights are terminated, the parent will no longer have any rights or responsibilities to the child. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has two types of termination: voluntary and involuntary termination,...
Read MoreIs adoption the right choice for you?
At some point in their lives, many people consider adopting a child. Whether they are inspired by someone else’s adoption story or wish to adopt a stepchild, this decision should be accompanied by seeking answers to your burning questions. Is this the right time in my life? How much will...
Read MorePreparing to adopt? What to expect from the home study
If you are hoping to welcome a child or infant into your home through adoption, you should know that there are numerous steps to the process. For instance, most prospective adoptive parents in Pennsylvania will undergo a home study prior to adoption. The home study is the process through which...
Read MoreResources coming for PA grandparents who adopt grandchildren
Adopting a child is a joyous occasion for the adoptive parents and the adopted child. Often, the child is becoming part of a family unit after growing up without appropriate parental care. In other instances, a child’s previously stable home may have been abruptly disrupted by a parent’s criminal charges...
Read MoreWhat’s the difference between a closed and open adoption?
If you want to adopt a child, you have a lot of important decisions to make. One such important decision is whether you prefer an open or closed adoption. In this post, we will explain the differences between the types of adoptions and what you should consider before making any...
Read MoreWhat to know about termination of parental rights before adoption
Adopting a child can be a wonderful, life-enriching experience for any prospective parent. Whether you want to adopt a baby from across the world or the teenage son or daughter of your partner, becoming a legal parent to a child is an event worth celebrating. However, there are challenges along...
Read MoreGrandparents: What to know if you want to adopt a grandchild
When people think about adopting a child, they often think about a young parent or couple looking to start or expand their family. However, there are millions of grandparents taking on the role of parent today. Often, grandparents seek to adopt grandchildren not out of a desire to become parents...
Read MoreSiblings who wanted to stay together may be closer to adoption
In Pennsylvania alone, there are countless children longing for a family and home of their own. For many of them, adoption may feel like a lifetime away. For one set of siblings in Kansas, however, the wait may finally be coming to an end. Almost 11 months ago, one state...
Read MoreMother records heartfelt message before son’s adoption
An unplanned pregnancy can bring about mixed emotions for a variety of reasons. Some parents-to-be are concerned about their lack of financial resources and personal support network. Others are concerned about being able to care for the new child and the children they already have. Sometimes, these circumstances cause parents...
Read MoreBoth reasons and trends for adoption have changed over time
Nationally, there are an estimated 100,000 children in the foster care system. National Adoption Day was recently celebrated as a way to draw attention to these children’s needs. According to historical notes, children were previously viewed as a contributing member of the household once they were old enough to work...
Read MoreWoman accused of running an adoption scheme
Couples who are unable to have their own biological children may always dream of becoming a family. In these situations, many may consider adoption as a way of providing a child with a loving home. Pennsylvania residents have many options, however, not every opportunity is what it seems. Recently, one...
Read MoreAn adoption is not the only reason to terminate parental rights
Many Pennsylvania families are headed by one if not two biological parents. However, families can take many forms for a variety of different reasons, including adoption. In order for many adoptions to take place, the existing parental rights of a biological parent may first need to be terminated. While adoption...
Read MoreAdoption may not be out of the question
There seems to be a common misconception out there that it is too complex and expensive to consider bringing a child in need of a home into one’s family. However, while the adoption process can be lengthy and involved, it may not be out of the realm of possibility if...
Read MoreWhen adoption is the best option
Most of us know a family whose lives have been enriched through adoption or an adult who was adopted into a loving family. What many people don’t understand are the decisions that come into play when adoption is the best option. One of the first things a family may decide...
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