Adoption

Adoption changes the relationship between the child and the natural parents, making the adopting adult the legal parent. The natural parent loses all parental rights and responsibilities in an adoption.

Source: Superior Court of Arizona, Maricopa County

A court action in which an adult assumes legal and other responsibilities for another, usually a minor.

Source: Children Welfare Information Gateway

The way to make the relationship between a parent and child legal when they are not related by blood.

Source: California Courts.

Last reviewed October 2022