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Full-Text Articles in Law
The Adoptee's Right To Know: In Re Adoption Of A Female Infant, Zvi Greismann
The Adoptee's Right To Know: In Re Adoption Of A Female Infant, Zvi Greismann
Antioch Law Journal
Among the most difficult questions arising out of an adoption is whether a record should be reopened at the request of an adult adoptee seeking information about his or her biological parents. In most jurisdictions an adoptee seeking this information must obtain a court order.'Adoption proceedings are statutory and, therefore, proceedings to unseal records are governed by state adoption laws. However,existing statutory standards are vague. Ultimately the decision to grant or deny access is a discretionary one lying with the courts.Further, in exercising their discretion, courts are faced with the difficult problem of resolving potentially conflicting interests of the adoptee, …
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.