After a successful stepparent adoption at the District Court of The Hague, which has jurisdiction for Delft, significant legal consequences take effect. The stepparent in Delft obtains all parental rights and duties, including inheritance rights and authority over the child.
Severance of Old Ties in Delft Context
The legal relationship with the biological ex-parent ends completely: no maintenance obligation remains and no inheritance claims. The child can assume the stepparent's surname, which is simply arranged at the civil registry of the municipality of Delft. Local authorities such as the Delft Youth Desk support the processing.
Revocation Options via District Court of The Hague
Stepparent adoption is irrevocable after registration in the Delft population register, except in exceptional cases of fraud or coercion within one year after the adoption. A request for revocation must be filed with the District Court of The Hague, with heavy evidence and a strict test against the child's best interests, taking into account Delft youth care reports.
Practical Implications for Delft Families
In Delft, passports, school enrollments at local primary schools, and health insurance via the municipality change. From 2025, new EU legislation introduces a digital register for international recognition of adoptions, relevant for expat families in Delft. In case of divorce after adoption, both parents remain responsible, with possible intervention by the Delft Centre for Youth and Family (CJG).
Important for Delft parents: watch for possible post-adoption traumas in children and consult local legal advisors such as law firms in the city center for post-adoption support and prevention of future disputes.