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<p class="MsoNormal">Interesting facts. Perhaps this would require an investigation into the legal effect of birth certificates in the foreign country. But I would say that, if that happened in the United States (a factually incorrect birth certificate),
the birth certificate would be dispositive without a challenge to it. Would that not require a paternity suit? Otherwise, the grandchild is legally the “child” of the grandparents. The birth certificate would be dispositive when applying intestate succession.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> Steve <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Lenard Wittlake<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Friday, August 13, 2021 9:57 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com<br>
<b>Subject:</b> [WSBAPT] cross border "adoption" question<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Greetings,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Similar to a recent discussion, but different:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A baby is born in foreign country. Grandparents obtain birth certificate in foreign country listing their names as parents of the grandchild. Then grandparents and grandchild, still an infant, move to Washington, mother remains in foreign
country. Grandparents & grandchild become US citizens. Grandparents raise grandchild, then die intestate. Some foreign heirs and some heirs in Washington. It appears that grandchild always knew the familial status, but now claims to be adopted. Family members
do not dispute the facts, so far, except whether it was a legal adoption.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Is grandchild legally adopted and an heir? Depends on foreign country law doesn’t it? Does grandchild have to prove anything other than show the birth certificate? Does the birth certificate shift the burden of proof? Merely raising
the child does not appear to create a parent-child relationship under RCW 26.26A.100.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If we cannot reach an agreement, who wins - the grandchild or the heirs who do not want grandchild included?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thank you,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Lenard L Wittlake, PLLC<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Attorney & Counselor at Law<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">22 East Poplar Street, Suite 202<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">P.O. Box 1233<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Walla Walla, WA 99362<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(509) 529-1529 voice<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(509) 850-3515 fax<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.lwattorney.com">www.lwattorney.com</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:Lenard@wittlakelaw.com">Lenard@wittlakelaw.com</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"">The information contained in this email may be privileged, confidential or<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"">please reply to the sender that you have received this information in error<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"">and delete this email.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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