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2007 Minnesota Statutes
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Chapter 259
Section 259.59
Topics
Recent History
- 2008 Subd. 1 Amended 2008 c 361 art 6 s 11
- 2008 Subd. 2 Amended 2008 c 361 art 6 s 12
- 1997 Subd. 1 Amended 1997 c 177 s 17
- 1997 Subd. 3 New 1997 c 239 art 6 s 11
- 1997 Subd. 3 New 1997 c 112 s 4
This is an historical version of this statute chapter. Also view the most recent published version.
259.59 EFFECT OF ADOPTION.
Subdivision 1. Legal effect. Upon adoption, the child shall become the legal child of the
adopting persons and they shall become the legal parents of the child with all the rights and
duties between them of birth parents and legitimate child. By virtue of the adoption the child
shall inherit from the adoptive parents or their relatives the same as though the child were the
natural child of the parents, and in case of the child's death intestate the adoptive parents and their
relatives shall inherit the child's estate as if they had been the child's birth parents and relatives.
After a decree of adoption is entered the birth parents of an adopted child shall be relieved of
all parental responsibilities for the child, and they shall not exercise or have any rights over the
adopted child or the child's property. The child shall not owe the birth parents or their relatives
any legal duty nor shall the child inherit from the birth parents or kindred, except as provided in
subdivision 1a and section 257C.08, subdivision 6.
Subd. 1a. Adoption by stepparent. Notwithstanding any other provisions to the contrary in
this section, the adoption of a child by a stepparent shall not in any way change the status of the
relationship between the child and the child's birth parent who is the spouse of the petitioning
stepparent.
If a parent dies and a child is subsequently adopted by a stepparent who is the spouse of
a surviving parent, any rights of inheritance of the child or the child's issue from or through
the deceased parent of the child which exist at the time of the death of that parent shall not
be affected by the adoption.
Subd. 2. Enrollment in American Indian tribe. Notwithstanding the provisions of
subdivision 1, the adoption of a child whose birth parent or parents are enrolled in an American
Indian tribe shall not change the child's enrollment in that tribe.
Subd. 3. Communication or contact agreements. This section does not prohibit birth
parents, birth relatives, and adoptive parents from entering a communication or contact agreement
under section 259.58.
History: 1951 c 508 s 9; 1978 c 602 s 2; 1979 c 11 s 1; 1980 c 589 s 36; 1994 c 465 art 1 s
62; 1994 c 631 s 31; 1997 c 112 s 4; 1997 c 177 s 17; 1997 c 239 art 6 s 11; 2002 c 304 s 13
Subdivision 1. Legal effect. Upon adoption, the child shall become the legal child of the
adopting persons and they shall become the legal parents of the child with all the rights and
duties between them of birth parents and legitimate child. By virtue of the adoption the child
shall inherit from the adoptive parents or their relatives the same as though the child were the
natural child of the parents, and in case of the child's death intestate the adoptive parents and their
relatives shall inherit the child's estate as if they had been the child's birth parents and relatives.
After a decree of adoption is entered the birth parents of an adopted child shall be relieved of
all parental responsibilities for the child, and they shall not exercise or have any rights over the
adopted child or the child's property. The child shall not owe the birth parents or their relatives
any legal duty nor shall the child inherit from the birth parents or kindred, except as provided in
subdivision 1a and section 257C.08, subdivision 6.
Subd. 1a. Adoption by stepparent. Notwithstanding any other provisions to the contrary in
this section, the adoption of a child by a stepparent shall not in any way change the status of the
relationship between the child and the child's birth parent who is the spouse of the petitioning
stepparent.
If a parent dies and a child is subsequently adopted by a stepparent who is the spouse of
a surviving parent, any rights of inheritance of the child or the child's issue from or through
the deceased parent of the child which exist at the time of the death of that parent shall not
be affected by the adoption.
Subd. 2. Enrollment in American Indian tribe. Notwithstanding the provisions of
subdivision 1, the adoption of a child whose birth parent or parents are enrolled in an American
Indian tribe shall not change the child's enrollment in that tribe.
Subd. 3. Communication or contact agreements. This section does not prohibit birth
parents, birth relatives, and adoptive parents from entering a communication or contact agreement
under section 259.58.
History: 1951 c 508 s 9; 1978 c 602 s 2; 1979 c 11 s 1; 1980 c 589 s 36; 1994 c 465 art 1 s
62; 1994 c 631 s 31; 1997 c 112 s 4; 1997 c 177 s 17; 1997 c 239 art 6 s 11; 2002 c 304 s 13
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Revisor of Statutes