PA Step parent Rights including Adoption & Custody
Pennsylvania Step parent Adoption Rights
Our Pittsburgh law firm enjoys helping families welcome new members through the Pennsylvania adoption process. A step parent adoption is desirable when a child resides with a biological parent who has married a person who is not the child's biological parent, but who wants to adopt the child. Frequently, step parent adoptions occur with the consent of both biological parents. Sometimes, however, step parent adoptions are complicated and are the subject of intense litigation requiring an involuntary termination of parental rights. Whether consensual or not, our law firm can provide you with representation in any Pennsylvania step parent adoption case.
To learn more about the adoption process, click here.
Custody Rights of Pennsylvania Stepparents
PA stepparents may have the right to sue a custodial parent for partial custody or visitation of the custodial parent's minor children. This generally occurs when the stepparent and custodial parent have resided together and assumed the joint role of supporting and caring for the custodial parent's minor children. If the custodial parent denies access to the stepchildren, a stepparent can file a PA complaint for partial custody or visitation of the stepchildren. In limited circumstances, if the stepparent's spouse was the custodial parent and dies, the stepparent may be able to obtain a PA primary custody order of the custodial parent's minor children even if there is a surviving biological parent or other blood relatives.
PA Support Obligations of Pennsylvania Step-parents
Pennsylvania step-parents are not liable for the support of their minor stepchildren except in very limited and rare circumstances. Furthermore, a PA step-parent's income is not a factor in determining the amount of support that a parent will pay or a parent will receive under a PA child support order although the income of a step-parent may be considered as a factor on whether the PA family court should grant a downward deviation from the PA support guidelines.
Contact Our Pittsburgh Stepparents' Rights Attorneys Today
To learn more about our Pennsylvania stepparents' rights law firm, and to speak with one of our experienced Pittsburgh stepparents' rights lawyers, call us today at 412-281-9906, toll-free at 855-PA-FAMILY (855-723-2645) or send us an e-mail. Our Pittsburgh office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and evenings by appointment.
Appointments are also available in Cranberry Township (Butler County), Robinson Township, Mt. Lebanon (South Hills Village Mall area) and Pleasant Hills (Century III Mall area). Ask the secretary scheduling your appointment for details including appointment locations.
Our Pennsylvania stepparent adoption lawyers and staff regularly assist clients with PA stepparent adoption, custody and support issues in Allegheny County, Beaver County, Butler County, Washington County, and Westmoreland County. To learn about the local procedures, click on the following: Allegheny County, Beaver County, Butler County, Washington County and Westmoreland County.
Our Pittsburgh step parent adoption attorneys accept cases from Armstrong County, Fayette County, Greene County, Indiana County, Lawrence County, Mercer County and Somerset County on a case-by-case basis.
