At ERIE LAW OFFICES, P.C., Katrine M. Erie, Attorney at Law represents clients with respect to kinship adoptions, step-parent adoptions and adult adoptions in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania is one of the least restrictive states on who may adopt. In Pennsylvania, adoption is generally open, and does not prohibit any adult from adopting. Additionally, Pennsylvania's adoption laws do not restrict who may or may not be adopted. This means that adults
can be adopted too.
A relative adoption, sometimes also referred to as a kinship adoption, is when an adult adopts an eligible family member.
In Pennsylvania, step-parent adoptions
are permitted as long as the child has only one legal parent and that parent consents to the spouse's adoption of the child.
If a married couple wants to adopt, both spouses will have to adopt, unless one spouse gives the other consent to adopt alone. Generally, unmarried couples cannot adopt in Pennsylvania.
Generally, the birth parents must consent to an adoption. If a child is removed from a home and that child is available for adoption, then adoption without the birth parents consent is no longer needed. Consent, however, is required from any adult who is adopted, and any child age 12 or older.
Schedule a consultation with Katrine M. Erie, Attorney at Law at our office in Butler, PA for your needs in Adoption law by calling (724)282-8727.