Adoption of An Adult
Adult Adoption Attorney in Chester County, PA
It’s not uncommon for an adult to find a loving, parental figure later in life. The adoptee may be a grown adult, but it is never too late to legally establish a child-parent relationship. By adopting an adult, you can ensure the relationship is legally recognized and protected.
The process of adopting an adult in PA is far easier than adopting a child, but you will still need the guidance of an experienced adoption attorney to ensure the process goes as smooth as possible.
Chester County, PA Adult Adoption Attorney
Ciccarelli Law Offices understands how important it is to have an established parent-child relationship with the adult you wish to adopt. That is why we want to be with you every step of the way.
We will ensure that all the proper paperwork is filed and we will represent you in court if necessary. Don’t try to go through the adult adoption process alone. One wrong mistake and the process can be delayed.
Call Ciccarelli Law Offices at (610) 692-8700 to schedule a free case consultation with our adoption law team or submit your information in the online contact form. We represent clients throughout the greater Philadelphia region including Chester County, Lancaster County, Delaware County, Philadelphia County and Montgomery County and towns such as West Chester, Downingtown, Exton, Kennett Square, Phoenixville, Malvern, Paoli, Oxford, Coatesville, Parkesburg, Media and Chadds Ford.
Information Center
- Can You Adopt an Adult in PA?
- Benefits of Adult Adoption
- How to Adopt an Adult in PA
- When is Adult Adoption Not Allowed?
- Additional Resources
Can You Adopt an Adult in PA?
When most people think about adoption, they typically assume the process involves adding a young child to the family. But no one ever outgrows the need for a parent. That’s why Pennsylvania adoption law allows for anyone in the state to be adopted, including adults.
In fact, the Pennsylvania Statutes have little regulation for who can be adopted and who can adopt. Under section 2311 of the PS, anyone can be adopted, regardless of age or residence and anyone may be an adopting parent in Pennsylvania.
Most adult adoptions occur when a parent-child relationship already exists. For example, an adult may wish to be adopted by their parent’s new spouse, or a former foster parent may want to adopt a foster child who has aged out of the system.
Benefits of Adult Adoption
Adopting an adult is a rather streamlined process and it’s less invasive than adopting a minor child. Unlike adopting a minor child, you are not required to submit to a home study or have the parental rights of the adoptee’s birth parents terminated.
Once the adult is adopted, they will lose all inheritance rights from their birth parents, but they may still give the adult adoptee property or gifts through an estate plan, will or trust.
Since most adult adoptions follow a long-standing relationship, the biggest benefits are often emotional. Adopting an adult is a representation of the parental love and commitment you have with the adoptee. It can provide them with a long-awaited sense of family and permanence.
There are many other reasons someone may decide to adopt an adult. Some common reasons include the right to inheritance and social security benefits.
How to Adopt an Adult in PA
By adopting an adult, you will not be required to go through an adoption agency or complete a home study. This makes the adult adoption process much easier and cheaper than a child adoption.
You will be required to submit to numerous background checks. Examples of some of the background checks you will be required to submit to include an FBI criminal background check and a Pennsylvania State Police criminal record check. Consent from the adoptee’s birth parents is not necessary, but state law does require you to receive the consent of the adult adoptee.
Because you will not be required to receive the consent of the adoptee’s birth parents, nor complete a home study, the legal process of adopting an adult is much faster. Once all the necessary paperwork has been filed and accepted by the court, you will be required to attend a hearing. This hearing is usually a matter of ceremony.
When is Adult Adoption Not Allowed?
Pennsylvania has little legal restriction on adoption. Most adult adoptions are accepted, but there are circumstances where the court will not finalize the adoption. Some of the circumstances were an adult adoption will not be finalized in Pennsylvania include:
- The adoptee or adoptive parent is not competent enough to understand the process
- For fraudulent purposes
- There was a pre-existing sexual relationship between the adoptive adult and the adoptee
- The adoptee or adoptive parent had been convicted of a felony crime or is facing criminal charges
Additional Resources for Adult Adoption in Chester County, PA
When Consent not Required | Pennsylvania Statutes– Follow this link to read the full text of the state statute that governs when parental consent is not required. The statue can be read on the Pennsylvania General Assembly website. You can also gain access to the complete text of the Consolidated Statutes.
Attendance at Hearing | Pennsylvania Statutes– Read the state statute that defines who is required to be present at an adoption hearing. You can also gain access to the remainder of the chapter that governs adoption in Pennsylvania.
Adoption Lawyer in Chester County, PA
Having a legally established parent-child relationship with an adult that you already view as one of your own is an exciting experience. Grant Ciccarelli Law Offices the privilege of guiding you through the adoption process.
We have decades of collective experience representing clients during the adoption process. We will make sure all the bases are covered to ensure you have a successful adoption.
To schedule a free case consultation with Ciccarelli Law Offices, call (610) 692-8700 or submit your information in the online contact form. We help clients with adult adoption in areas that include West Chester, Philadelphia, Kennett Square, Springfield, Malvern, Lancaster, Radnor, Plymouth Meeting and many more.