Can Adopted Children Inherit in Michigan?
When it comes to inheritance rights in Michigan, one common question is: Can adopted children inherit from their adoptive parents? The short answer is yes—but with a few important legal nuances to understand.
Adopted Children Are Treated as Biological Children
Under Michigan law, once an adoption is finalized, the adopted child is treated exactly like a biological child of the adoptive parents. According to MCL § 710.60, an adopted person:
“...shall be treated in all respects as the natural child of the adopting parents.”
This means that adopted children are heirs at law and have the same rights to inherit from their adoptive parents as a biological child would. This includes the right to inherit property if the adoptive parent dies without a will (intestate) or if the child is named as a beneficiary in a will or trust.
What Happens to the Legal Relationship With Biological Parents?
Once the adoption is finalized, the legal relationship between the adopted child and their biological parents is generally terminated. That includes inheritance rights—unless the adoption was by the spouse of a biological parent (such as in a stepparent adoption). In that case, the child may still inherit from the biological parent who remains in the parental relationship.
This principle is supported by MCL § 700.2114, which outlines how the parent-child relationship affects inheritance, and reaffirmed in the Michigan Supreme Court case In re Estate of Adolphson, 403 Mich. 590.
Can an Adopted Child Inherit From Their Biological Family?
Generally, no—adoption severs inheritance rights from the biological family, including grandparents, unless:
The adoption is by a stepparent (as noted above); or
The biological family explicitly includes the adopted child in a will, trust, or other legal document.
Without such provisions, the adopted child would not inherit from biological relatives under Michigan’s intestate succession laws.
Why This Matters for Families and Estate Planning
Whether you're an adoptive parent, an adopted child, or a biological relative, it's important to understand how adoption affects inheritance. If you're relying on Michigan's default laws (without a will or trust), these rules could determine who inherits your estate.
To avoid confusion—or potential disputes—it's wise to put a comprehensive estate plan in place. Doing so ensures your wishes are clearly documented and legally enforceable, especially when adoption or blended family relationships are involved.
Need Help With Your Estate Plan?
At JM Thomas Law, we guide families through Michigan’s inheritance and estate planning laws with clarity and compassion. If you're planning for the future of your adopted children—or have questions about inheritance rights after adoption—we’re here to help.
📞 Call: (248) 971-0116
📧 Email: info@ThomasLawMI.com
Helping Michigan families protect what matters most.