
Stepparent Rights Lawyers In Pittsburgh and Allegheny County
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, stepparent 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 PA 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 step-parent 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 step parent 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 child support for 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 a factor in 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) 231-9786 in Pittsburgh, 724-536-5500 in Southpointe (Canonsburg), 724-776-9906 in Cranberry Township or toll-free at 1-844-VARI-LAW or send us an e-mail.
Our Pittsburgh and Southpointe offices are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and evenings by appointment. Our Cranberry Township office is open by appointment only.
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, Lawrence County, Mercer County, Washington County, and Westmoreland County. To learn about the local procedures, click on the following: Allegheny County, Beaver County, Butler County, Lawrence County, Mercer County, Washington County , and Westmoreland County.
Our Pittsburgh step-parent adoption attorneys accept cases from Armstrong County, Fayette County, Greene County, Indiana County, and Somerset County on a case-by-case basis.
Want to Learn More?
If you would like more information on family law topics, click on our Family Laws section or read our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
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“Lisa herself is a very dedicated, hard working, professional and compassionate person. She is very driven to get the results you desire, but also listens to your needs and understands the difficult nature of the business.”
- Pennie E. -
“I've worked with this firm on more than one occasion and have nothing but HIGH PRAISE for their professionalism, expertise and knowledge.”
- Rebecca H. -
“I not only recommend attorney Melissa Lewis, but I guarantee once you have used her service you will look no further. She responds in an extreme timely matter, is very knowledgeable, and an extremely trustworthy person.”
- Maurice B.

Lisa Marie Vari & Associates, P.C. Is the Right Choice for Your Family Matters
Learn more about our firm and why you should entrust our experienced legal team to handle your family law matters.
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Strong SupportA team of senior attorneys, junior associates, paralegals and law school clerks for full legal support throughout the process.
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Complex CasesExperienced with high income, self employed professionals in complex support and equitable distribution cases.
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DiverseAttorney Lisa Marie Vari is trained as a mediator and collaborative family lawyer.
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ExperiencedMore than 30 years of experience practicing family law in Pennsylvania.
Request a Consultation
We can further discuss the individual details of your case when you come in for your no-obligation consultation, which can be scheduled by calling our firm at (412) 231-9786 or via the quick contact form we have included at the bottom of this page.