<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 14 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><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><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'>otherwise protected from disclosure. If you received this email in error,<o:p></o:p></span></p><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></div></body></html>