Can an Adopted Child Be Disowned?

Adopted children cannot be disowned from parental support.

The word "disown" has two distinct meanings in legal discussions. The first is to leave someone out of a will. The second, with respect to children, is to terminate parental obligations.

Adoption

According to the U.S. Department of State, adoption is the permanent transfer of parental rights from the biological parent to a custodial parent. Children who are formally adopted are legally the children of the custodial parent and treated as such in court proceedings.

Disowned From a Will

In most first-world nations, parents are legally obligated to provide for their children until they reach maturity. The allocation of property in a will, however, is not governed by this legal obligation. Parents may legally prevent their children from being the beneficiary of their will.

Disowned From a Parent

As previously mentioned, parents are legally responsible for providing for their children. By failing to do so, parents can be found guilty of child abuse in the United States. There currently exists no way of disowning a child in the U.S, as this support is legally conferred to the child.

References

• United States Department of State: What is Intercountry Adoption?
• Child Welfare Information Gateway: Definitions of Child Abuse and Neglect: Summary of State Laws

Resources

• Child Welfare Information Gateway