Private Adoption in Pennsylvania: A Guide for Growing Families

In this article, you can discover…

• What families should understand when considering private adoption.
• What pitfalls adoptive families should avoid when seeking private adoption.
• How an adoption lawyer can support adoptive families.

What Should Families Know When Considering Private Adoption In Pennsylvania?

The first thing is to understand what we mean when we say “private adoption.” In Pennsylvania, a private adoption is a term we use for situations where the adoptive family and birth family connect outside of a licensed adoption agency. If an agency is involved in making the match, it’s considered an agency adoption. Otherwise, all others are considered private.

One of the biggest challenges in private adoption is simply finding a connection to a birth mother seeking a better home for her child. Since there’s no agency actively searching for a match on your behalf, it often comes down to word of mouth. This word of mouth could be through a friend, a neighbor, or even a coworker. Sometimes the adoptive family knows somebody who knows the birth mother, and that person helps make the connection.

You need to know how to network and let other people know you’re open to adoption and actively seeking to expand your family. That’s the best way to ensure a strong chance of succeeding with private adoption.

What Pitfalls Should Adoptive Families Avoid When Seeking A Private Adoption?

It’s incredibly important for adoptive families to be mindful of the language they use when they’re trying to build connections. You’re excited to build your family, and in that excitement, you might accidentally portray yourself incorrectly.

If you were to say something like, “Do you know anyone looking to give up their baby?”, you could come across as insensitive and potentially offend someone. Whereas a more compassionate and respectful approach might be to say, “Do you know a birth parent who is considering an adoption plan for their child?” An appropriate level of sensitivity goes a long way in these delicate conversations.

How Does An Adoption Lawyer Support Both Birth Parents And Adoptive Families?

The benefit of bringing an adoption lawyer into your support system is that I’m able to step into the adoption process at virtually any stage. Often, adoptive parents begin their journey by scheduling a consultation with me. During that meeting, we explore the different paths to adoption and help you determine the best way to grow your family.

If I’m contacted by a birth mother looking to find an adoptive family, I’ll walk her through her options, including the differences between private adoption and going through an agency. I also know many adoptive parents who are still hoping to adopt, so I can often help make those connections when appropriate.

It’s important to note that I never represent both the birth parents and the adoptive parents at the same time because it would be a conflict of interest. If I’m representing the adoptive parents, I make sure the birth mother has her own legal representation, and vice versa.

My role is to ensure that everyone involved has the legal support they need throughout the entire process because I want everyone to be protected and feel secure during an incredibly monumental time in their lives.

Attorney Deborah Lesko has worked diligently over the last four decades to help families in Pennsylvania navigate private adoptions with confidence and clarity. Whether it’s representing birth parents or adoptive families, she will ensure your adoption proceeds with care and precision so everyone involved feels supported and protected.

Still have questions? Ready to get started? Contact The Law and Mediation Offices of Deborah L. Lesko, P.C., today to schedule an initial consultation.

CONTACT US - (412) 276-4200

What Are Some Common Legal Challenges In Pennsylvania Private Adoptions, And How Can They Be Avoided?

One of the most common issues I see is that sometimes adoptive parents will hope for complete confidentiality and anonymity. While that used to be more common, it’s much harder to achieve today, especially in private adoptions where a third party connects the birth parent with an adoptive family.

Another challenge may arise when parties try to move forward without an attorney. They may speak to the birth mother on the phone and then have no idea what steps to take next. Or they may want ongoing contact from the birth mother after the baby is born, but don’t understand how to structure that legally.

Something that also often gets overlooked is the role of the birth father. If the adoptive family is only in contact with the birth mother, it’s critical to find out where the birth father stands on the situation. Is he in the picture? Does he agree with the adoption plan? Does he even know he has a child?

These questions are essential because in Pennsylvania, birth fathers have the same legal rights as birth mothers. You do not want to bring a baby home only to learn that the birth father never agreed to the adoption and now wants to have an active role in the child’s life. These legal issues must be addressed before the baby is born.

Words Of Caution For Adoptive Families

One of the most dangerous things adoptive parents can do is start the journey of private adoption without receiving proper legal consultation.

Adoption law is highly specialized, especially when you’re dealing with situations that are more involved than a stepparent adoption, for example. When you get into complex legal situations such as private adoptions, adoptions across state lines, or kinship adoptions, you’ll want an experienced attorney who is familiar with the law and can help you understand each step of the process.

I’ve successfully handled thousands of adoptions over more than 42 years, and welcome any questions that prospective clients want to ask. Unfortunately, I’ve had to take over too many cases from attorneys who weren’t as experienced, and when you’re talking about something as precious as a child’s life and their future, you want the help of someone who’s been through it all.

Attorney Deborah Lesko has worked diligently over the last four decades to help families in Pennsylvania navigate private adoptions with confidence and clarity. Whether it’s representing birth parents or adoptive families, she will ensure your adoption proceeds with care and precision so everyone involved feels supported and protected.

Still have questions? Ready to get started? Contact The Law and Mediation Offices of Deborah L. Lesko, P.C., today to schedule an initial consultation.

CONTACT US - (412) 276-4200

How I Provide Meaningful Help For Adoptive Parents

Every adoption I handle feels like a success story, especially with private adoptions. Throughout the process, I’m working so closely with both birth parents and adoptive families that it’s hard not to celebrate when I play a part in securing that connection.

One case that comes to mind involved a birth mother I had worked with before. She had previously placed a child with a family, and when she became pregnant again, she decided she wanted the same adoptive parents to take her second child.

I remember speaking with her on the phone as we talked through her decision. I had the honor of being a listening ear as she shared what she’d been through since her first placement. She was doing so much better in her life, but still knew the timing wasn’t quite right for her to be a parent. It was a very emotional time.

Even when a birth parent knows that they’re making the best decision for their baby, it’s still a grieving process. I see it as my role to act as a guide during such a vulnerable time. I also help the adoptive family, who is experiencing a completely different emotional journey.

There’s nothing quite like seeing a birth mother look at the adoptive parent she chose, holding her child and confirm that she made the right decision because she sees the love emanating from them. It’s magical.

This kind of legal work is more than just filing documents. You can’t treat an adoption like just another contract; it’s about children and families. You need an attorney who is able to understand the hard decisions, appreciate the emotions involved, and eagerly look forward to doing it all over again.

For me, it’s truly a calling. I consider it a privilege from the Lord that I get to do this kind of work. Not many attorneys get to be part of something this meaningful, and I never take that for granted.

Still Have Questions? Ready To Get Started?

For more information on private adoption in Pennsylvania, an initial consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (412) 276-4200 today.