CALIFORNIA FAMILY LAW
...Death of a Spouse
......Probate/Inheritance Rights
.........Adult Adopted & Illegitimate Children
3 Cards On This Topic:
  • Son adopted as an adult in TX was mother's "issue" within the meaning of grandmother's CA will as the adoption created a parent-child relationship and the will expressly included "adopted children" in defining "issue."
  • As term "issue" in family trust was clearly, simply and specifically defined by grandparents, and had no latent ambiguity, their illegitimate grandson inherited.
  • Prob.C §21115 (b) applies to exclude adult adoptees from class of testator's grandchildren/trust beneficiaries even though it was enacted after testator's death.