Arizona Revised Statutes

Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 8-117 (2026)

Rights under adoption order

✓ current as of May 2026

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A. On entry of the decree of adoption, the relationship of parent and child and all the legal rights, privileges, duties, obligations and other legal consequences of the natural relationship of child and parent thereafter exist between the adopted child and the adoptive parent as though the child were born to the adoptive parent in lawful wedlock. The adopted child is entitled to inherit real and personal property from and through the adoptive parent and the adoptive parent is entitled to inherit real and personal property from and through the adopted child the same as though the child were born to the adoptive parent in lawful wedlock.

B. On entry of the decree of adoption, the relationship of parent and child between the adopted child and the persons who were the child's parents before entry of the decree of adoption is completely severed and all the legal rights, privileges, duties, obligations and other legal consequences of the relationship cease to exist, including the right of inheritance. This subsection does not apply to communication rights established pursuant to section 8-116.01.

C. If the adoption is by the spouse of the child's parent, the relationship of the child to that parent remains unchanged by the decree of adoption.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 38 cases (5 in the last 5 years), 1971–2025 · leading case: Riepe v. Riepe, 91 P.3d 312 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2004).

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Riepe v. Riepe, 91 P.3d 312 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2004). · cites it 24× “[13] The " natural relationship of child and parent" is tied to gender: one man as a father and one woman as a mother.”

EDONNA v. Heckman, 253 P.3d 627 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2011). · cites it 25× “While the right of inheritance is explicitly included in A.R.S. § 8-117, the right to bring a lawsuit based upon the death of a parent is not included.”

Demetrius L. v. Joshlynn F./d.L., 365 P.3d 353 (Ariz. 2016). · cites it 2× “See A.R.S. § 8-117(A) (“On entry of the decree of adoption, the relationship of parent and child and all the legal rights, privileges, duties, obligations and other legal consequences of the natural relationship of child and parent thereafter exist between the adopted child and…”

Sheets v. Hon. mead/reynolds, 356 P.3d 341 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2015). · cites it 13× “” Child’s adoption changed her legal status to that of a child born in wedlock, see A.R.S. § 8-117(A), and the superior court therefore erred by awarding Reynolds visitation.”

Jackson v. Tangreen, 18 P.3d 100 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2000). · cites it 10× “§ 8-117(A). Therefore, the adopted child can inherit property from the child’s new parents, and the new parents can inherit property from the adopted child.”

Marriage of Doty-Perez v. Doty-Perez, 388 P.3d 9 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2016). · cites it 14× “” In support of this argument, she asserts that because A.R.S. § 8-117(A) (2014) states that an adoptive child should be treated as though the child was born “in lawful wedlock” she is deemed the presumptive second parent pursuant to A.”

David C., Kim C. v. Alexis S., A.C., 375 P.3d 945 (Ariz. 2016). · cites it 2× “A.R.S. § 8-117(B). But the juvenile court may not grant an adoption unless the child’s father consents, if his paternity has been established under Title 25.”

State v. Wilhite, 772 P.2d 582 (Ariz. Ct. App. 1989). · cites it 4× “To do so, we turn from the child custody statute in Title 25 to Title 8 (Children), where § 8-117 expressly describes the transformation of relationships that occurs upon the entry of a decree of adoption: § 8-117: A.”

Matter of Est. of Ryan, 928 P.2d 735 (Ariz. Ct. App. 1996). · cites it 6× “AR.S. § 8-117(B) (Laws 1970, Ch. 205, § 2).”

State v. Ramsey, 831 P.2d 408 (Ariz. Ct. App. 1992). · cites it 3× “section 8-117 in support of its position.”

Holder v. Indus. Comm'n of Arizona, 609 P.2d 1066 (Ariz. Ct. App. 1980). · cites it 15× “§ 23-1064 must be read in conjunction with all the adoption statutes and specifically A.R.S. § 8-117, which provides: “A. Upon entry of the decree of adoption, the relationship of parent and child and all the legal rights, privileges, duties, obligations and other legal…”

Marriage of Fenn v. Fenn, 847 P.2d 129 (Ariz. Ct. App. 1993). · cites it 2× “See A.R.S. § 8-117(A) (1989) (legal rights, privileges, duties, obligations, and other legal consequences of the natural relationship of child and parent come into being upon entry of decree of adoption).”

Show all 38 citing cases →

— Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 8-117(A) — 11 cases

Riepe v. Riepe, 91 P.3d 312 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2004). “[13] The " natural relationship of child and parent" is tied to gender: one man as a father and one woman as a mother.”

Demetrius L. v. Joshlynn F./d.L., 365 P.3d 353 (Ariz. 2016). “See A.R.S. § 8-117(A) (“On entry of the decree of adoption, the relationship of parent and child and all the legal rights, privileges, duties, obligations and other legal consequences of the natural relationship of child and parent thereafter exist between the adopted child and…”

Sheets v. Hon. mead/reynolds, 356 P.3d 341 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2015). “” Child’s adoption changed her legal status to that of a child born in wedlock, see A.R.S. § 8-117(A), and the superior court therefore erred by awarding Reynolds visitation.”

Marriage of Doty-Perez v. Doty-Perez, 388 P.3d 9 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2016). “” In support of this argument, she asserts that because A.R.S. § 8-117(A) (2014) states that an adoptive child should be treated as though the child was born “in lawful wedlock” she is deemed the presumptive second parent pursuant to A.”

Jackson v. Tangreen, 18 P.3d 100 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2000). “§ 8-117(A). Therefore, the adopted child can inherit property from the child’s new parents, and the new parents can inherit property from the adopted child.”

— Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 8-117(A)(1999) — 1 case

— Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 8-117(B) — 17 cases

EDONNA v. Heckman, 253 P.3d 627 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2011). “While the right of inheritance is explicitly included in A.R.S. § 8-117, the right to bring a lawsuit based upon the death of a parent is not included.”

Riepe v. Riepe, 91 P.3d 312 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2004). “[13] The " natural relationship of child and parent" is tied to gender: one man as a father and one woman as a mother.”

David C., Kim C. v. Alexis S., A.C., 375 P.3d 945 (Ariz. 2016). “A.R.S. § 8-117(B). But the juvenile court may not grant an adoption unless the child’s father consents, if his paternity has been established under Title 25.”

Matter of Est. of Ryan, 928 P.2d 735 (Ariz. Ct. App. 1996). “AR.S. § 8-117(B) (Laws 1970, Ch. 205, § 2).”

Jared P. v. Glade T., 209 P.3d 157 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2009).

— Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 8-117(C) — 5 cases

Riepe v. Riepe, 91 P.3d 312 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2004). “[13] The " natural relationship of child and parent" is tied to gender: one man as a father and one woman as a mother.”

Kimberly McLaughlin v. Suzan McLaughlin, 382 P.3d 118 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2016).

Butler v. Adoption Media, LLC, 486 F. Supp. 2d 1022 (N.D. Cal. 2007).

In Re Term of Parental Rights as to M.L. (Ariz. Ct. App. 2025).

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