Reformbedarf bei der Adoption von Stiefkindern, Verwandten und Volljährigen

This paper outlines the need to reform the legal process of the adoption of stepchildren, relatives and adults, as today’s status quo of the adoption process does not comply with the guiding principle created by legislation in 1976, which is the basis of our adoption law. The intention of this legislation for children demands that each adoption has to be beneficial for the child. With regard to the adoption of children (minors), the adoption of stepchildren is more frequent than the adoption of an unrelated child. This is problematic, as the adoption of stepchildren is rarely beneficial for the children. Adoptions of stepchildren serve mostly the interests of the adults involved in the adoption. The adoption of relatives legally causes an increase and confusion of the family structure. The adoption of adults is intended for rare circumstances only but is in the process of overtaking the adoption of children.