Adoption

Question 1

What is required for an adoption to be valid?

Answer 1

The termination of the natural parent’s rights.

Question 2

When will a biological parent’s parental rights be involuntarily terminated?

Answer 2

Whole shitton of circumstances, though the standard is clear and convincing evidence, since removing parental rights is such an extreme remedy.

PA Test:

1. Party seeking termination must prove by clear and convincing evidence that the parent’s conduct satisfies the statutory grounds for termination; AND
2. Court determines the needs and welfare of the child under the best interest of the child standard.
   
   1. Court should consider things like comfort, security, love, and stability, as well as the emotional bond between the parent and child.

Question 3

What are the legal ramifications of adoption?

Answer 3

Adoptive parents have all rights and responsibilities that the biological parents would have and the adopted child has all the rights and responsibilities a biological child would have.

Court may allow for a consentual agreement between the adoptive parents and a birth relative of the child to have continuing contact or communication with the child.