Parental Authority and Family Law after International Adoption in Rotterdam
In Rotterdam, a cosmopolitan port city with diverse adoption practices, international adoption grants full parental authority, equal to national adoptions, with specific rules for the exercise of authority and inheritance law tailored to local family courts.
Transfer of Authority
Adoption terminates biological ties; adoptive parents obtain exclusive authority (Dutch Civil Code Book 1, art. 1:228). In joint adoptions, similar authority applies. The Rotterdam District Court handles these cases efficiently for port families with international connections.
Inheritance Law Consequences
- Child ranks as biological offspring in Rotterdam inheritance cases.
- Automatic succession without additional formalities.
- Testamentary exemption not required, fitting local notary services.
Specific Rules in Rotterdam
- Name Choice: Combination of surnames possible, often aligned with Rotterdam's multicultural traditions.
- Residence Rights: Immediate EU citizenship, with rapid registration at the Rotterdam municipality for port worker families.
- Parental Divorce: Standard authority arrangement applies, with mediation via Rotterdam family law counters.
Dispute Resolution
The Rotterdam District Court decides in conflicts; the Hague Convention ensures cross-border recognition. Upon dissolution, child return to country of origin is rare, also due to local expertise in complex adoption cases. Practice: In Rotterdam, 85% of adoptions lead to stable authority; the family court handles approximately 25 cases per year, often with input from International Schiphol and Rotterdam adoption experts.