[brownswissmomma]

WE are in the process of our second adoption from PA. Our first adoption from placement to finalization was one year. Our son was a foster child (not ours)placed in our home for perminancy.

Our current placement occurred mid April. The birthmom signed placement papers that were notarized and given to the judge, but in PA that is not good enough. We had a scheduled hearing 4 months after placement. Since the birth mom did not appear, a second hearing was scheduled 3 months after the first(add it up now 7 months). They physically have to appear before the judge to agree with termination of their rights at the first hearing. According to our lawyer, this rarely happens.

A registered letter was sent to her place of residence and she had moved with no forewarding address. Now the lawyers had to advertise for both the birth father(who was unknown) and birthmother notifying them publically they had 30 days to respond or their rights would be involuntarily terminated. They did not respond. Luckily our lawyer said the registered letter returned in enough time to advertise or they would have had to delay that hearing and reschedule.

Now 7 months after placement termination has occurred. Up till now, the birthparents could have legally changed their mind. Now we are waiting for finalization hearing that has not as of yet been scheduled. We are hoping for early spring, but the last time we adopted, the finalization hearing was 6 months after the lawyer got on the schedule for the judge. I think all of the timing depends on the business of that county's court system. Anyway, we are till waiting....Yes PA is quite a risk for a long time legally and I encourage everyone I know to push for changes in adoption law.