It is increasingly common for a parent and step-parent to adopt a child. When one of the natural parents marries or remarries, it may be in the child’s best interest to legally transfer all of the other natural parent’s rights to the step parent. If the other birth parent of the child consents to the adoption, he or she must voluntarily and legally relinquish all rights to the child before the adoption can occur. In this case, all parties need to follow very specific procedures prior to the successful adoption. If the other natural parent does not consent, for example because he or she has abandoned the child, the parent and step parent will still need to obtain termination of parental rights before the adoption can proceed. Here, the involuntary termination of parental rights may be ordered by the court when, for a period of at least 6 months, the natural parent has refused or failed to perform parental duties, and/or has evidenced their intention of relinquishing all rights. **PA courts are very reluctant to involuntarily terminate a natural parent’s rights. You will need to hire a step parent adoption attorney to demonstrate substantial proof that the bio-parent should have all rights terminated. ** Special considerations for stepparent adoptions may exist because of a pre-existing visitation or custody order held by a grandparent or great-grandparent. Such an order will survive an adoption by a step parent. After a step parent successfully adopts the child, grandparents will also retain the right to seek custodial orders. Tibbott & Richardson 1040 Fifth Avenue, Fourth Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15219 (412) 444-7171 https://www.tibbottrichardson.com/