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The State's Interest In Adoption And Washington's Sealed Records Statute, Eileen M. Lawrence
The State's Interest In Adoption And Washington's Sealed Records Statute, Eileen M. Lawrence
Seattle University Law Review
After discussing the legal effect of the adoption decree and the purpose of Washington's adoption statute, this comment will analyze the competing interests of the adoptee, the biological parents, the adoptive parents, and the state. This article will also discuss the legislative proposal in Washington attempting to abolish the good cause requirement. Finally, this article concludes the sealed records requirement is constitutionally sound and despite the need for further legislative articulation, the good cause balancing approach is the most suitable method for protecting the conflicting rights and interests inherent in the adoption process.