What are the legal rights of adopted children?
In California, adopted children have the same legal rights as biological children. This includes the right to inherit property, receive child support and share in the estate of their adoptive parents. Adopted children are also eligible for the same government benefits and social security benefits as biological children. Adopted children also have the right to know their personal medical and educational history, and can access records or documentation related to their adoption. Adopted children also have the right to access information about their birth parents, such as their names and medical histories, unless the birth parents have specifically requested that certain information remain confidential. If the child is over the age of 18, they also have the right to contact the birth parents directly. Not all of the rights of adopted children are set in stone however. Depending on the specifics of the adoption, the adoptive parents may have more control over the rights of their adopted child than biological parents would have over a biological child. This can have an effect on a child’s legal rights, such as their right to access information about their birth parents, or their right to inherit property. Adoption laws can be complex and can vary depending on the state. It is important for adoptive parents and adopted children to understand their legal rights and responsibilities to ensure that everyone’s rights are respected.
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