Families come in all different shapes and sizes. In many cases, parents and children do not need to be biologically related to make a happy family. However, while not being biologically related to your child doesn’t make your relationship any less important, there is some extra work that needs to be done. When you decide it’s time to bring a new child into your family and want to do so through adoption, you’ll need to go through a complicated process that involves a great deal of complex paperwork.
While the adoption process can be difficult, having an experienced adoption attorney on your side gives you the support you and your family need. At Lermitte & Lubin, our adoption attorneys understand what an important time adopting a new child is. We can help you through this process and help you work towards the happy moment when you’re officially a family.
Types of Adoptions
Not all adoptions are alike. The NEPA adoption attorneys of Lermitte & Lubin understand the important difference between various types of adoptions and what each unique case requires. Our attorneys can be there to provide the help you need with your adoption process.
In addition to these types of adoptions, adoptions may also be open or closed. In a closed adoption, there is no contact with the child’s birth parents. Open adoptions allow for communication between adoptive and birth parents.
Here are several common types of adoption.
Stepparent adoptions occur when a stepparent chooses to adopt their spouse’s biological child. While they may already live together and have a relationship, this makes the stepparent the child’s legal parent. Stepparents still have a certain process to follow to adopt their stepchild, which can require the help of an experienced adoption attorney.
There are thousands of children in foster care in Pennsylvania. If you’ve decided to foster a child in need of a home, you may also decide that the best option for the child and your family is to legally adopt them. While not every child in foster care is eligible for adoption, and many return to their biological families, there are some cases where adopting a foster child is an option. Many children who are adopted from foster care are adopted by their foster parents, but you may be able to adopt without having fostered first.
Many children are adopted by a biological family member, such as a grandparent, aunt, or uncle. Of course, there are many benefits to children being able to stay with family members who are able to care for them. While a kinship adoption can have fewer complications than other types of adoption, it can still be a complex process.
Adopting an infant can sometimes be different from adopting a child of a different age. In some cases, parents hoping to adopt may be connected with an expectant mother considering putting her child up for adoption. Infant adoption can also involve adopting a baby who was very recently born.
Let Lermitte & Lubin Help You Grow Your Family
When you want to expand your family through adoption, you need to ensure that every step of the way is handled correctly. Adopting a child in Pennsylvania can be a challenging process for families and children to go through, which is why you need a family law firm you can trust. Our NEPA adoption attorneys will handle your case with care and are happy to play a role in uniting your family.
Contact us today if you’re looking to adopt a child.
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