Question about inhertiance

Tina20

I have NO idea where to put this! Sorry if it's in the wrong place....


Basically, my mother left my biological father when I was very young, and married another man a few years later.
When I was about 5/6 he adopted both me and my sister. I heard nothing from my biological dad until I was 16, I didn't know anything about him his name or what he looked like etc.
But since he's been in contact with me (almost 5 years) we've grown friendly and visit each other quite often. I view him more of an eccentric uncle, than a father as I already have a Dad who I love with all my heart.

So my question is hypothetical, I have my mum and her family, my dad and his family, and my Bio dad and His family.... So who am I heir to?

I'm wondering because I was watching Heir hunters, and knowing I have a large family on my Bio dads side (most of whom I've never met) I was wondering if I'm in any way eligable to inherit something from that side of my family?

I know legally, I'm heir to my adopted dads family etc but what's the story regarding my biological family?

DylanO

What a lovely thought. Unless you're named, you won't inherit anything from your biological father's side of the family. Legally you're not related to them.

daska

As individuals: If they make a will and include you then you are but if they make a will and don't include you then you aren't.

As relations: If they don't make wills (die intestate) then you might inherit from your mum and adopted dad (there are strict rules about percentages and use of regarding spouses and children etc) but not from your bio dad.

Clear as mud?

fluffnutter

You're heir to anyone who names you as a beneficiary in their will. However, if any of your parents die intestate, you're automatically an heir to your mother and your adopted father, but only if their estates exceed the amount which would be inherited by their spouses.

You're not automatically your biological father's heir but that's not to say you couldn't contest his will, although you'd have to show good reason, typically that you are financially dependent on him which I assume is not actually the case, or that you have good, provable reason to believe that he was intending to make you his heir.

Actually, you're not heir at all, you're heiress (I'm assuming you're female from your username).

meritaten

once you have been adopted hun you would no longer be automatically able to inherit from a biological parent. unless you were named in the will that is!

PasturesNew

As everybody else has said, if you are specifically named in a will, you'll inherit and be an heir. If your biological father drops dead without leaving a will then you won't get a penny because you were adopted out of his line.

However, if there are no other relatives as close as you (no other children for example) - and if you can prove that you've rebuilt and are maintaining a relationship with your biological father, then you can put your case forward to become the heir.... if he died without a will.

Stressed_Out

Just because you're related or adopted doesn't mean that you are heir to either, unless they want to leave you in the will, not all parents do leave children something, they don't have to it's not law, it's not your birth right. Some may leave everything to a new spouse and her family (something I've read many times).

Maybe you should enjoy building your relationship with your Father instead? Enjoy having such a lovely large family.

Taadaa

Under normal circumstances you would not be entitled to inherit if a member of your bio family died intestate when you are adopted out.

However, in rare circumstances, if you are back in contact with the bio father a successful case and has been made. You would need to prove that you have a close family relationship. I doubt this would be the case if a more distant relative in your bio family died intestate.

meritaten

I think the OP was actually asking whether if her biological father died intestate then would she be in line to inherit. The short answer being no.
Not everyone leaves a will - hence the big business for heir hunters. It can be very frustrating if they find blood relatives who 'should' have inherited, but cannot because they were 'adopted out' of that family. as in the case of the OP - she had no choice in the matter - she was only a child at the time.
I hope you develop your relationship with your biological father OP - I also hope that he realises that unless he makes a will he cannot leave you anything to acknowledge you as his daughter.