Q: Can I adopt my fiancés daughter in the state of Pa? And how hard will it be to do so? Any advice on how to get started?
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 Father’s Mother.
My Fiancés daughter calls me Mom. Knows me as her Mommy. I’m with her 24/7, caring for her. She doesn’t even know about her Birth Mother. She is 5 years old, and the Birth Mother was only in her life for maybe half a year before she decided to do her own thing instead(drugs/crime). She hasn’t given up any rights, for either children.
Thank you in advance for any advice.
A:
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 rights.
Contact your county's Orphans' Court section -- they may have sample forms for filing both a petition to terminate and for adoption. Best of luck to you.
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