Adoption & Foster Care Attorneys in Pennsylvania

At Tucker Arensberg, we are committed to uniting families and protecting children. Adoption and foster care are life-changing journeys, and we understand that the process is much more than just a legal proceeding—it’s an emotional and deeply personal experience. Our goal is to provide compassionate guidance and skilled legal representation to help you navigate every step of this complex process.

Comprehensive Adoption & Foster Care Legal Services

Adoption Services

Our experienced family law attorneys assist with various types of adoptions, including:

• Infant adoptions
• Embryonic adoptions
• Foster care adoptions
• Stepparent adoptions
• Relative (kinship) adoptions
• LGBTQ adoptions
• Multiracial adoptions
• Open and closed adoptions
• Older child adoptions
• Interstate and international adoptions

We also help with legal matters such as:

• Birth certificate corrections
• Birth parent searches for adult adoptees
• Birth parent representation

Foster Care & Kinship Care

For those providing temporary care to children in need, we assist foster parents and kinship caregivers with legal matters, including:

• Navigating foster care regulations
• Understanding foster parent rights and responsibilities
• Advocating for permanency through adoption or legal guardianship
• Kinship care arrangements for relatives assuming custody

Legal Standing in Court

Understanding your legal standing in adoption and foster care cases is critical. We provide guidance on:

• Whether a foster parent or kinship caregiver has standing to petition for adoption or custody
• Court representation in custody and adoption proceedings
• Advocacy for prospective adoptive parents in contested cases

Foster Parent Rights

Foster parents play a vital role in a child’s life. Our attorneys help ensure that your rights are protected, including:

• The right to be heard in court proceedings affecting a foster child
• Advocacy for continued placement or adoption opportunities
• Guidance on interactions with child welfare agencies

Post-Adoption Contact Agreements (PACA)

For families navigating open adoptions, we assist in drafting and enforcing Post-Adoption Contact Agreements (PACA), which allow continued communication between birth parents and adoptive families under Pennsylvania law. These agreements outline:

• Frequency and type of contact (letters, visits, updates)
• Legal enforceability and modification options
• The best interests of the child as the guiding principle

How We Can Help

At Tucker Arensberg, we handle the legal complexities so you can focus on what truly matters—building your family. Our role includes:

• Filing necessary paperwork
• Representing you in court hearings and agency meetings
• Acting as a liaison for private adoption agencies and child welfare organizations
• Ensuring access to medical and background records
• Providing extensive knowledge of Pennsylvania adoption and foster care laws

If you’re considering adoption, fostering, or seeking legal guidance on kinship care, we’re here to help. Contact Marisa McClellan at (717) 221-7961 or mmcclellan@tuckerlaw.com for a free initial consultation.