Practice Areas

Termination of Parental Rights and Adoption

Philadelphia Termination of Parental Rights Attorney - Aggressive, Compassionate, Honest, Thorough Advocacy

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With a dedication to seeing that children’s rights and best interests are protected, family law lawyer at the Law Offices of Stacy E. Schwarz have an in-depth knowledge of termination of parental rights and adoption law.

From our law office in Pennsylvania, the adoption lawyer at our firm offer honest and vigorous legal support to clients seeking to adopt a child. Whether the client is a new stepparent following a divorce, or a grandparent, relative or third-party, we have been using our devotion to family law and effective people skills to be tenacious advocates for our clients since 1992. Helping a family, person or couple gain the priceless gift of a child brings the gratitude to the Law Offices of Stacy E. Schwarz that solidifies our dedication to helping families.

Grounds for Involuntary Termination of Parental Rights in Pennsylvania

Many factors can constitute grounds to terminate parental rights:

• Abandonment for a period of at least six (6) months immediately proceeding the filing of a Petition to Terminate
• Incompetency and Neglect
• The Parent is not the biological parent of the child (However, circumstances and legal doctrine can challenge this ground)
• Found Child - Child is in the custody of an agency because parent(s) have disappeared or identity is unknown following three (3) months after child is found
• Failure to remedy conditions six (6) months following the removal of a child from an agency
• Newborns under age six (6) months if parent fails to maintain contact or financially support child for four (4) months and is not married or living with other parent
• Rape and incest - parent is the father of a child conceived as a result of rape or incest
• 12 month abandonment - 12 months have elapsed following placement of child with an agency and conditions have not been remedied

Voluntary Termination or Relinquishment of Parental Rights

• A birth parent can voluntarily relinquish his or her parental rights by filing a Petition to Terminate Parental Rights if a child is under age 18 and has been in the care of an agency for a minimum of three days or an adult has filed a report of Intention to Adopt

It is against public policy for a parent to voluntarily relinquish his or her parental rights without simultaneous procedures of another party(s) to adopt. This policy ensures that minors will always be financially supported by adults who are either responsible to support a child or choose to adopt and thus support a child.

Circumstances that typically cannot be used as grounds for termination of parental rights are:

• Mental illness – courts must still consider needs and welfare of children
• Incarceration of a parent
• Child in need of welfare or social services but parent is taking steps to remedy the conditions which led to the removal of child

Count on Us to Be Tireless Advocates on Your Behalf

To schedule an appointment with our family law attorney at the Law Offices of Stacy E. Schwarz, call (215) 546-9300 to contact our Pennsylvania termination of parental rights lawyer today.