Adoption Lawyers

Building a family through adoption is one of life’s most joyful milestones, but navigating Pennsylvania’s strict legal requirements can feel overwhelming. Graff & Associates guides prospective parents through every legal hurdle—from initial filings to the final courtroom decree—so you can focus on welcoming your child home.

Adoption Pathways at a Glance

Adoption Type	Best For	Key Legal Requirement
Stepparent	Spouses adopting a stepchild	Home study is usually waived; requires ending the other parent’s legal rights.
Kinship / Relative	Grandparents, aunts, or uncles	Grants legal permanence for children already living in relative care.
Second-Parent	Unmarried & LGBTQ+ co-parents	Secures equal legal rights for both parents nationwide without stripping existing rights.
Agency & Private	Infant, agency, or independent placements	Requires a completed home study, background clearances, and placement reports.
Adult Adoption	Formalizing lifelong family ties	Simplified process; no home study or parental rights termination required.

Key Pennsylvania Adoption Rules

• Court Jurisdiction: All Philadelphia adoptions are filed in the Orphans’ Court Division (City Hall, Room 415), not Family Court.
• Parental Consent: Birth mothers cannot sign consent until 72 hours after birth, followed by a mandatory 30-day revocation period.
• Terminating Rights: If a parent refuses consent, court-ordered involuntary termination requires proving abandonment or failure to perform parental duties for at least 6 months (23 Pa.C.S. § 2511).
• Home Study Waivers: Courts typically waive formal home studies for stepparent and close relative adoptions.

The Adoption Process: 4 Core Steps

1. Preparation: Complete required clearances and home evaluations (if applicable).
2. Resolving Rights: Obtain voluntary consent or file for involuntary termination of biological parental rights.
3. Filing the Petition: Submit accurate documentation directly to the Orphans’ Court to avoid procedural delays.
4. Finalization: Attend the hearing before a judge to receive your official adoption decree, update birth certificates, and finalize legal parentage.

Common Questions

• How long does adoption take in Philadelphia? Uncontested or stepparent cases usually finalize in 3 to 6 months. Contested cases requiring full court hearings can take a year or longer.
• Can unmarried or LGBTQ+ couples adopt? Yes. Second-parent adoption secures full legal protection for both co-parents, including children conceived via assisted reproduction.
• Do you handle cases outside the city? Yes. We represent clients throughout Philadelphia, Delaware County, Montgomery County, and Bucks County.

Schedule a Free Consultation A single paperwork error or missed deadline can delay your adoption by months. Let our experienced attorneys ensure your petition is handled correctly the first time.

Graff & Associates, LLC

123 Old York Road, Suite 200, Jenkintown, PA 19046

Phone: 215-572-6868 | Serving Philadelphia, Montgomery, and Bucks Counties

This content provides general educational information only and does not constitute formal legal advice.