“Hey Lars, how’s your relationship with your 18 y/o daughter?”
“Great. Really great. She applied and got accepted to K******y and is threatening to actually go to school there. So yeah. It’s great.”
Her mom better get to her.
The Flying Wasp?
I did some research for you on Grok. Responsible parents keep all options open:
Disowning a child is a serious and emotionally charged decision that varies depending on cultural, legal, and personal circumstances. While there’s no universal "how-to" guide, I can outline general steps people might take based on common practices and legal considerations. Note that this is informational and not an endorsement or legal advice—specific actions depend on your jurisdiction and situation.
1. Clarify Your Intentions: Reflect on why you want to disown your child. Is it emotional (e.g., a falling out), financial (e.g., removing them from inheritance), or legal (e.g., severing parental rights)? Understanding your goal shapes the process.
2. Communicate Your Decision: If it’s a personal or emotional disownment, you might inform your child directly—verbally or in writing—stating your intent to cut ties. This isn’t legally binding but sets a clear boundary. For example, some send a letter saying, “I no longer consider you my child,” though this depends on your comfort level.
3. Adjust Legal Documents: If it involves inheritance or financial ties, update your will or estate plan. Consult a lawyer to remove your child as a beneficiary or explicitly state they inherit nothing. In most places, you can disinherit an adult child, though laws vary (e.g., in some U.S. states, you must name them and disinherit them explicitly to avoid legal challenges).
4. End Financial Support: If your child is an adult, stop providing money, housing, or other aid. For minors, this is trickier—legal obligations like child support typically persist unless parental rights are terminated, which requires court action.
5. Consider Legal Termination (Minors): If your child is underage and you want to sever parental rights, you’d need to petition a court. This usually only happens in extreme cases (e.g., abuse allegations or adoption by someone else) and requires evidence and legal proceedings. Courts prioritize the child’s well-being, so voluntary termination is rare.
6. Cut Contact: For a personal disownment, block communication—phone, social media, etc.—and inform mutual contacts if needed. This reinforces the boundary but has no legal weight.
7. Seek Counseling: Disowning someone can take an emotional toll. Talking to a therapist might help you process the decision, whether before or after.
Legally, “disowning” isn’t a formal status in most places—it’s more a personal stance unless tied to specific actions like those above. If you’re in a particular country or state, laws might differ (e.g., some jurisdictions have “forced heirship” rules that guarantee kids a portion of your estate). Want me to dig into a specific region’s laws or focus on something else?
