• The problem of dual inheritance occurs only if a relative of the birth parent adopts the child. For instance, if a child’s mother dies and the maternal grandparents adopt the grandchild, and if a grandparent then dies intestate, the child qualifies for two separate shares — one as a child and the other as a grandchild. In some jurisdictions, by statute, such a child is allowed to inherit only the adopted child’s share. Under the Uniform Probate Code, the child takes the larger of the two shares.
dual inheritance
An adopted child’s intestate inheritance through both his adopted family and his natural parent.
