Stepparent Adoptions in Bucks County and the Philadelphia Area

Ideally, the only drama in an adoption should be a round of hugs when the court makes it official. But we know that it's not always so simple. At the Law Office & Mediation Services of Elissa C. Goldberg, we work behind the scenes to ensure that adoptions go smoothly or at least end happily.

Doylestown family law attorney Elissa C. Goldberg handles stepparent adoptions in Bucks County, Montgomery County and the Philly metro area. She typically represents the adoptive stepfather or stepmother, but has also represented the other side in contested adoption proceedings.

Doylestown Adoption Attorney

Elissa C. Goldberg has practiced in family law since 1995. She handles both uncontested and contested adoptions.

• In most cases, the biological parent voluntarily agrees to relinquish rights or has not been involved in the child's life. We prepare the pleadings and represent the adoptive parent in court. Our role is to make sure there are no loopholes or complications that will derail the process, including tracking down an absent parent to obtain a waiver of rights or to demonstrate due diligence to locate a parent who has not responded to the adoption petition.
• In a contested adoption, the court is asked to terminate the rights of the natural parent against his or her wishes. There is a heavy burden to prove that the parent has abused, neglected or abandoned the child or is otherwise unfit to retain parental rights. Our role is to line up documentation and witnesses to convince the court that the child's best interests are served by severing ties to the biological parent.
• On occasion, Ms. Goldberg defends the natural parent in involuntary termination of rights proceedings.

Once parental rights are terminated by order of the court, the formal adoption process can usually proceed smoothly. We make sure that all the paperwork is in order and all deadlines and verifications are met.

Elissa C. Goldberg began her career as an international adoption lawyer, helping American couples adopt children from European orphanages. She no longer facilitates international adoptions, but can handle re-adoption — formal adoption under Pennsylvania law as extra protection for couples who have adopted a child overseas.

Contact a Bucks County Adoption Lawyer

Experience and attention to detail are important in the adoption process to anticipate problems and address any objections or complications that arise. Call our Doylestown office at 215-345-5259 or contact us online today to learn more.