- adoption
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I
(acceptance) noun
acknowledgment, admission, approbation, approval, assimilation, assumption, attachment to, choice, co-optation, election, embracement, espousal, favorable reception, ratification, reception, recognition, sanction, selection
associated concepts: adoption by estoppel, adoption of a contract, adoption of a proposal, adoption of domicile, arrogation
II
(affiliation) noun
adoptio, custody, fosterage, guardianship, parentage, protection, protectorship, wardship
associated concepts: adoption decree, adoption petition, custody, foster care, foster parent, inheritance by adoption, intestate succession, legitimation, legitimation of child, parental rights, paternity proceedings, support, wards of the juvenile court
III
index
acceptance, appropriation (taking), approval, arrogation, consent, distress (seizure), selection (choice), use
Burton's Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006
- adoption
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the legal process by which the rights and obligations of a child's natural parents are extinguished and equivalent rights and obligations are vested in the adoptive parents. In English family law, a statutory procedure under the Adoption Act 1976. The effect of an order is to have the child treated as if it had been born as a child of the marriage. Adoption prevents a child from being illegitimate thenceforth. Any person under 18 who has not been married can be adopted. A person adopting children (not already a parent) must be over 21. The consent of a father of an illegitimate child is not required. The court can dispense with a parent's consent. A husband and wife may adopt the legitimate children from the wife's former marriage. A local authority or approved adoption agency can apply for an order freeing a child for adoption that renders unnecessary the need later for difficult petition procedure. The effect is to extinguish parental rights and vest them in the adopters. The child succeeds to the new parents and does not succeed to the former parents.In Scots family law, there is a similar statutory procedure under the Adoption of Children (Scotland) Act 1978.A child adopted under an adoption order made in the UK will become a British citizen if the adopter (or, if more than one, one adopter) is a British citizen. An adoption order made outwith the UK in favour of a British citizen will not give the adopted child automatic British citizenship; this may be gained by registration or naturalisation.
Collins dictionary of law. W. J. Stewart. 2001.
- adoption
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A court procedure by which an adult becomes the legal parent of someone who is not the adult's biological child. An adoption decree creates a parent-child relationship recognized for all legal purposes — including child support obligations, inheritance rights, and custody. An adult can also adopt another adult under certain circumstances.Category: Divorce & Family Law
Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary. Gerald N. Hill, Kathleen Thompson Hill. 2009.
- adoption
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n.1 In family law, the legal process that establishes a parent/child relationship between individuals who are not related by blood. Once the adoption is completed, the adoptive child becomes entitled to all the privileges belonging to a natural child of the adoptive parents, and the adoptive parents acquire all the legal rights, duties, and obligations of the child's natural parents. Furthermore, all legal rights, duties, and obligations between the child and his or her natural parents (except, in some states, the obligation to pay delinquent child support payments) terminates upon the completion of the adoption.2 In contract law, the acceptance by a person or entity of the rights and responsibilities made for their benefit under a contract to which she is not a party.3 To accept legal responsibility for the act of another.See also ratify.
Webster's New World Law Dictionary. Susan Ellis Wild. 2000.
- adoption
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A two-step judicial process in conformance to state statutory provisions in which the legal obligations and rights of a child toward the biological parents are terminated and new rights and obligations are created between the child and the adoptive parents.
Dictionary from West's Encyclopedia of American Law. 2005.
- adoption
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A two-step judicial process in conformance to state statutory provisions in which the legal obligations and rights of a child toward the biological parents are terminated and new rights and obligations are created between the child and the adoptive parents.
Short Dictionary of (mostly American) Legal Terms and Abbreviations.
- adoption
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n.the taking of a child into one's family, creating a parent to child relationship, and giving him or her all the rights and privileges of one's own child, including the right to inherit as if the child were the adopter's natural child. The adoption procedure varies depending on whether the child comes through an agency which handles adoptions or comes from a stranger or a relative, and on the age of the child and the adoptive parent or parents. The hopeful adoptive parent must file a petition, which may be handled by the adoption agency. Natural parents must either give binding written permission for the adoption or have abandoned the child for a lengthy period of time. An investigation will be made by a county office (probation or family services) as to the future parents' suitability to adoption, their relationship status, their home situation, and their health, as well as the best interests of the child. If the child is old enough to understand the procedure he or she may have a say in the adoption. Finally there is a hearing before a local court judge (called "surrogate" in some states) and an adoption order made. In many states a new birth certificate can be issued, with the adoptive parents listed as the parents. If there is an adoption of an adult, the adopting adult usually must be several years older, based on the state law. In recent years, there has been much controversy over adoption by single parents, including gays and lesbians, with the tendency toward allowing such adoptions, provided all other criteria beneficial to the child are met.See also: adopt
Law dictionary. EdwART. 2013.
