My sister realized the she isn’t financially fit to take care of a child also she doesn’t have the best living situation so she reached out to me and my wife to see if we were willing to take her unborn child when she gives birth. After a long talk with her and her boyfriend we all decided this... View More 
answered on Aug 18, 2019
The parents' parental rights will have to be terminated and an adoption petition filed. Your county may have guidance available online for completing this process which is somewhat complicated. I'd suggest that you retain an attorney to shepherd this through the system for you but, if you... View More
My daughter's bio father has not seen her/spoken to her in 7 years.
answered on Aug 12, 2019
This would be a stepparent adoption. You'll have to file the appropriate petition to terminate his rights and submit the correct document signed by him. And you'll have to file a petition for adoption along with all the necessary forms and documents. You'll probably have to learn... View More
My rights were involuntarily terminated and want to know if i turned my life around in the future can i adopt her if her foster family agrees to it. The bond is there and my daughter loves me and wavered between wanting to be with me and wanting to be with foster family
answered on Jul 31, 2019
There is a lot of missing information that may be pertinent to provide a complete answer to your questions such as what were the reasons your parental rights were terminated- was there abuse, neglect, drug use, illness, abandonment, etc. Also, the age of the child is a relevant factor because... View More
Can I petition the court to terminate her rights so my current wife can adopt him.
answered on May 26, 2019
In PA you can. Consult with an expereinced family law attorney in the county where you reside.
I had to do the same checks for my job, can I use those if I need to do the checks?
answered on Apr 19, 2019
If you're referring to the state police checks, no, because you're not the one adopting the children. Your husband, their stepfather, is.
I have been with my fiancé for almost 3 years. He has Sole and Physical custody of his daughter. The Birth Mother has been deemed an unfit mother by a judge in the past. She is continuously in and out of jail for drugs and theft. Her other child is not in her care as well, living with the... View More
answered on Apr 12, 2019
Yes -- but you'll have to file a petition to involuntarily terminate birth mother's parental rights at the same time. If birth mother hasn't had any contact at all with the child within the past 6 months, your fiance will have grounds to terminate birth mother's parental... View More
My ex girlfriend wants me to adopt her son from a previous relationship. We are not together nor do I intend to be as she is muniputive and that’s why we are no longer together . Since I care for this child and his well being if I do legally adopt him can she collect support from me ? I feel like... View More
answered on Nov 28, 2018
Yes - if you adopt the child, you become as responsible financially for him as his biological father would be. My suggestion, then, is to be like a "big brother" to the kid if you want to support him, but *don't* adopt him if you have no new family unit and long-term plans with his... View More
I am 28 and asked my step-father to adopt me. I am meeting with the lawyer tomorrow and just want to know what questions to ask him.
I live in dauphin county PA but have had no luck finding forms or anything
answered on Nov 9, 2018
Just ask the lawyer what the procedure is and what the costs will be. If the attorney is knowledgeable, he/she will be able to explain everything to you and answer the questions that will come to mind. If the lawyer can't fill in all the blanks, you may want to consult with another one. One... View More
they have been in our care for 2 years and the parents haven't done what they are suppose to do. we do not have a casework the case was closed a year ago. any information would be helpful
answered on Oct 23, 2018
It's not really possible to tell you the pros and cons about adopting these children. That's for you to decide, but it's really not all that hard to figure out. Adopting them would make them your children in every sense of the word except biologically, with all the joys,... View More
I live in Pennsylvania and adoptive parents live in Virginia
answered on Oct 5, 2018
I'm afraid I don't understand your question. Is your child born, and another Virginia couple is adopting your child? Are you in the middle of adoption proceedings either here in Pennsylvania, or in Virginia?
I suggest you contact whoever is brokering the adoption, and pose your... View More
She told me that she terminated the pregnancy and I have reason to believe she is still pregnant. She will not return any calls. I don’t want my child to be offered for adoption.
answered on Sep 6, 2018
The law requires the biological father's rights to be terminated, either voluntarily or involuntarily, before the child can be placed for adoption. Obviously then the question arises - what if she says she doesn't know who the father is? Good point. I'd try to keep eyes on her... View More
Our daughter and her boyfriend at the time, were potheads (still are) and we were given custody. My daughter was never a mom, she was always more interested in getting high. We were living in NY at the time and the dad still does, although he hasnt been in the picture for more that 3 years. My... View More
answered on Aug 20, 2018
Well, the clerk of courts was right - you can try to do this on your own and hope, no pray, that you get it right. You really should contact an attorney. I'm not sure what state you're in but in PA, you may have a problem unless both parents willingly terminate their parental rights to... View More
e also hasn’t been in their lives for over 5 years, the last time he asked to see them was August 1 2014 or 2015, he doesn’t pay his court order support, and now after 5 years and that he’s “clean” he thinks he come right back into their lives... do I have to let him, I have a man that... View More
answered on Aug 12, 2018
Yes, he has parental rights . . . unless and until a court terminates them. You can certainly file a petition asking the court to involuntarily terminate his parental rights -- and at the same time, your new man can file a petition to adopt the children. In fact, a court will NOT terminate a... View More
We have taken care of my Husbands biological niece for the last 6 years, no child support or such. Took care of medical, education, activities, finances. All through notarized agreement/ Affidavit .Mom has been back in the state for the last 3, taking child on weekends at times. Very minimal... View More
answered on Aug 12, 2018
One of the factors in a custody case is the child's preference but that's only one of 16 factors. I suggest that you consult with an experienced family law attorney in your area about your rights and options at this point.
He also hasn’t been in their lives for over 5 years, the last time he asked to see them was August 1 2014 or 2015, he doesn’t pay his court order support, and now after 5 years and that he’s “clean” he thinks he come right back into their lives... do I have to let him, I have a man that... View More
answered on Aug 11, 2018
You may have waited too long. One of the ways to demonstrate to the court that a parent's rights should be terminated is to show that, for a period of at least six months immediately preceding the filing of the petition, there was no performance of parental duties, including contacting the... View More
i had custody of my oldest niece since 2009 before she died which was in 2011 i then obtain custody of my other niece. what are my legal rights to change their last name? and rights to adopt? when all this occurred i was living in NJ now i live in PA...Their father isnt in the picture anymore. i... View More
answered on Aug 10, 2018
Where is their father? In order to adopt them you'd have to have his parental rights terminated and possibly go through a home study. To change their surname only, you'd still probably be required to notify him of your intention. I suggest that you contact a local attorney experienced in... View More
CPS took kids away and they went to foster...child support hasn't been paid in months. Couple just had a newborn and plans to keep it - can they legally? Should be reported? This is woman's 7th child - she no longer has custody of any others...
answered on Aug 9, 2018
Until and unless a court terminates parental rights, biological parents retain their parental rights to their children -- regardless of the past. Whether anyone reports the parents to child protective services is nobody's business but their own.
Hope this helps.
answered on Aug 8, 2018
Hi, Aaron. Not trying to be smart but it sounds like you need a private investigator more than an attorney right now. Try using one or more of those paid internet people search engines. If you know what county she committed her jailable offense in, you may be able to find an old address on that... View More
I have repeatedly asked for my birth certificate and my social security card. I am 20 years old, live on my own, and am not allowed on his property, so retrieving it myself isn't an option. The only reason he is giving me is that I "have to turn from my sinful ways" i.e. leave my... View More
answered on Jun 26, 2018
You could go to the local police station in his neighborhood, explain the situation and ask for police assistance. Don't go in with an attitude; just go in, tell them you don't know what to do or where to turn, and ask them for their help. They may tell you to go pound sand . . . or... View More
My step father (a legal immigrant whom has a green card) of 28 years, id like to adopt me. I just like him to legally be my "dad" because he is the only father i know and we have been very close my whole life. How to go sbout and what steps to take.
answered on Jun 15, 2018
Your situation is not uncommon, and it's great that you both would take this formal action to solidify your relationship. Often your local court of common pleas (the big courthouse in your county seat) has forms that you can obtain and use as a guide. Contact the "Prothonotary" of... View More
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