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For the purpose of inheritance, there are natural children, adopted children, and children adopted by estoppel, also called equitable adoption. What do these terms mean?

1. Natural children are, of course, the children born to the deceased.
2. Adopted children are children that were adopted by the deceased through the legal system.
3. "Adoption by estoppel" sometimes called "equitable adoption" or "adoption status" means those children who were not adopted through the legal system but are nevertheless recognized by... the law as the adopted children of the deceased. This usually involves children who were raised by someone other than their parents and established a parent child relationship with the person who raised them. It is legally similar to a common law marriage.

See the discussion of informal adoptions like adoption by estoppel, equitable adoption or adoption status here.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families Administration on Children, Youth and Families Children's Bureau put out a summary of the various states laws relating to the adoption rights of those adopted, those adopting and the birth parents that may be found here.

The foregoing information is general in nature and does not apply to every fact situation. If you are concerned about inheritance laws, have an inheritance dispute, a property dispute or want information about contesting a will, we can help. Please go to our main site www.theprobate.net and use the contact form to contact us today. We would love to learn about your case and there is no fee for the initial consultation.