Opinion ID: 2400316
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Petition Seeking to Adopt Robert Dale Young

Text: The denial of appellant Robert Goodling's petition under Section 401 of the Adoption Act, supra, must be affirmed as well. We do so for reasons other than those expressed by the court below however. Section 401(7) requires that the petition to adopt attach as exhibits all consents necessary to the adoption set forth under subsections (1) and (2) of Section 411. These include the consent of [t]he adoptee, if over twelve years of age; [and] [t]he adopting parent's spouse, unless they join in the adoption petition;. . . . The appellant's petition itself is, in this context, procedurally satisfactory. However, Section 411(3) requires that for the adoption to be approved, consent to an adoption shall be required of, The parents . . . of an adoptee who shall not have reached the age of eighteen years. [6] Although Mr. Goodling obviously has the consent of Robert Dale's mother, Judith Goodling, it is also clear that appellee Young does not consent. Had Judith Goodling's petition seeking to involuntarily terminate appellee's parental rights succeeded, then appellee Young's consent could have been dispensed with under Section 414 of the Act: Consent of a parent to adoption shall not be required if a decree of termination with regard to such parent has been entered. See also In re Adoption of D.J.L., Jr. and D.W.L., 64 Pa.D. & C.2d 295 (1973). Cf. Burrell Adoption, 57 Pa. D. & C.2d 74 (1971). This not being the case, however, the adoption must be denied. Decree of the court below denying appellant Judith (Young) Goodling's petition under Section 311(3) of the Adoption Act and appellant Robert E. Goodling's petition under Section 401 of the Adoption Act is hereby affirmed. Appellants to bear costs. POMEROY, J., filed a dissenting opinion. MANDERINO, J., filed a dissenting opinion and also joins in the dissenting opinion filed by POMEROY, J.