adoption

[cameronang]

My step father wishes to adopt my brother and i. The thing is we are both adults (23 & 28) does anyone know if this is possible or can you only adopt children?

[Loosehead]

As far as I know you cannot adopt adults.

[woofgang]

I can understand why he might want to so this isn't intended to be a rude question, but why does he want to? Depending on the reason, there may be an alternative solution

[cameronang]

He wanted to adopt us because if anything did happen then we would be entitled to anything in his will. he also has a son from his previous marriage but does not wish for him to inherit anything.

[mycatis]

He can just specify in his will what he wants people to have, surely?

[Grimalkin]

I think Mycatis is right - as long as the will nominates you as the benficiaries and there are no grounds to contest it I don't think there is any advantage in being his legal sons - you aren't exempt from inheritance tax as such.

[smudge]

I can't see what difference adopting you & your brother would make to an official Will cameronang. Your step father could simply write:

I leave this, that & the other to my two stepsons, Mungo & Midge. I leave nothing to my birth son Joe Bloggs.

His son might very well contest the Will, but if it is an official one, I wouldn't have thought he'd have a leg to stand on.

[woofgang]

I think that not only would not being adopted not be a bar to your stepfather doing as he wants with his property, but also adopting you would not give his wishes greater force.

But it is a really nice idea

[cameronang]

thank you all very much for your answers, you've been a great help. x

[WoWo]

I think woofgang is correct, adoption would have no effect on his son's right to any claim.

But writing a will will sort this out, especially if he explicitly mentions his son.

[cameronang]

Wowo i think that is the case in England but in Scotland (where my dad lives) his son can still have rights to his property etc.