Creation of a family unit Īdult adoption was the only means to legally recognise family relationships in countries and states where same-sex marriage was illegal. Īdult adoption has been used as a substitute for same-sex marriage since the early 1980s, where same-sex adults couples who live in states where same-sex marriage is not legal, create a family relationship by adopting their lovers.
On 26 June 2015, the U.S Supreme Court legalised same-sex marriage in all fifty states in Obergefell v. Same-sex marriage was legal in some states of the US from the early 2000s, such as San Francisco, Connecticut, and New Jersey. Same-sex couples who wished to have the same rights as married couples opted to adopt their partners. Up until the 2000s, same-sex marriage was illegal in the United States, and in many other countries, such as Australia and the UK. Courts often consider whether the purpose of the adoption is fraudulent or insincere, and might deny the petition. Same-sex adult adoptions served and may continue to serve as a means to achieve some sort of economic, political and social objectives, rather than the average parent–child relationship. The motives for same-sex adult adoption much differ from those involving a minor, including those of a legal or economic nature. Many LGBTQ members used and may continue to use this as a substitute for same-sex marriage. Since same-sex lovers in most states in the US couldn't get married, they could not take as heir of their partners. The reasons associated with adult adoption include the pursuit of benefits from partners, such as creating heirs. 4.3 Discontinuation of inheritance rights with natural parentsīefore the legalisation of same-sex marriage, adult adoption was used to formalise same-sex relationships.2.1.1 Procedure for adult adoption in the 2000s.1.3 Property, inheritance and successorship rights.