Stepparent Adoptions

In Pennsylvania, the process of adopting a stepchild is less bureaucratic than a regular adoption. In spite of that, it is strongly recommended that an attorney be involved to manage the process correctly.

In some families, the stepparent and stepchild relationship is strong and loving.  These situations can be heart warming but also heart wrenching as the custodial parent may have concerns about what would happen if the biological parent tried to come back into the child's life.

In Pennsylvania, if the biological parent has had no contact at all with the child (no phone calls, gifts, cards, etc.) for a period of 6 months or more, the custodial parent can file to terminate the parental rights of the biological parent and file an adoption petition to permit the stepparent to legally adopt the child.

Attorney Stephen Barcavage will work with you to terminate the biological parent’s parental rights and finalize the adoption of your child by the stepparent.