§ 15-7-16. Inheritance by and from adoptive kindred.
(a) A child lawfully adopted shall be deemed, for the purpose of inheritance by the child and his or her descendants from the parents by adoption and the lineal and collateral kindred of the parents by adoption, and for the purpose of inheritance by the parents by adoption, and the lineal and collateral kindred of the parents by adoption, from the child and his or her descendants, and for all other legal consequences and incidents of the natural relation of parents and children, except as provided in § 15-7-17, the child of the parents by adoption the same as if he or she had been born to them in lawful wedlock. In the construction of any instrument, whether executed before or after May 8, 1956, a child so adopted and the descendants of the child shall be deemed within a limitation to the lawful heirs, issue, children, descendants, or the like, as the case may be, of the parent or parents by adoption, unless a contrary intention shall appear by the terms of the instrument or unless the particular estate so limited has vested in and as to the person or persons entitled to it on April 20, 1962; provided, that this sentence shall not apply in the construction of any instrument as to any child who is over the age of eighteen (18) years at the time of his or her adoption and who is adopted after the death of the maker of the instrument.
(b) When an adopted child is related by blood to the parent or parents by adoption, he or she and his or her descendants shall be entitled to inherit from and through the parent or parents only as an adopted child or descendants of an adopted child and not by virtue of the blood relationship.
History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 192, § 6; G.L. 1909, ch. 244, § 6; G.L. 1923, ch. 288, § 6; G.L. 1938, ch. 420, § 6; G.L., ch. 420, § 8; P.L. 1955, ch. 3483, § 1; P.L. 1956, ch. 3851, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 15-7-16; P.L. 1962, ch. 167, § 1; P.L. 1966, ch. 211, § 1; P.L. 1970, ch. 132, § 1.
Structure Rhode Island General Laws
Chapter 15-7 - Adoption of Children
Section 15-7-2. - Report, investigation, and hearing on placement of child for adoption.
Section 15-7-2.1. - Pre-adoption report on child placed for adoption.
Section 15-7-3. - Report, investigation, and hearing on child brought into state for adoption.
Section 15-7-4. - Petition to adopt — Court having jurisdiction.
Section 15-7-5. - Consent required.
Section 15-7-5.1. - Contact preference form information.
Section 15-7-6. - Waiver of parents’ right to consent — Guardianship of agency.
Section 15-7-7. - Termination of parental rights.
Section 15-7-7.1. - Court proceedings.
Section 15-7-7.2. - Mediation of termination of parental rights.
Section 15-7-9. - Notice to parent whose whereabouts unknown.
Section 15-7-10. - Consent of minor parents.
Section 15-7-11. - Investigation and report as to adoptive home.
Section 15-7-12. - Trial period of residence.
Section 15-7-13. - Consideration of religion of child or parents.
Section 15-7-14. - Decree of adoption.
Section 15-7-14.1. - Decree of open adoption.
Section 15-7-15. - Decree of change of name.
Section 15-7-16. - Inheritance by and from adoptive kindred.
Section 15-7-17. - Rights of natural parents terminated — Inheritance by child from natural parents.
Section 15-7-18. - Denial of petition — Order as to custody of child.
Section 15-7-19. - Appeal from the family court.
Section 15-7-20. - Jurisdiction of child pending appeal.
Section 15-7-21.1. - Challenge to decree.
Section 15-7-22. - Penalty for violations or false statements.
Section 15-7-23. - Complaints.
Section 15-7-24. - Attendance at hearing.