Chap. 186.—An ACT to legalize the adoption of adult persons.

Approved March 14, 1906.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That any inhabi-
tant of this State not married or a husband and wife jointly may petition
the circuit court of their county, or the corporation or circuit court of
their city, for leave to adopt an adult person not their child by birth;
but such petition shall set forth the reasons for such adoption, and shall
he accompanied by a statement in writing signed by the person proposed
to be adopted signifying his or her consent to such adoption.

2. If the court, upon consideration of the petition, shall be satisfied
4s to the fitness and propriety of such adoption, it shall make an order
setting forth the facts and declaring that from that time such adult
person, to all legal intents or purposes, is the son or daughter and heir at
iaw of the person or persons filing such petition, as if such adopted son or
daughter had been born to such adopted parents in lawful wedlock; and,
if the petition shall so pray, the court may in such order provide for the
change of the name of such adopted son or daughter; but on the decease
of such adopted parent and the subsequent decease of such adopted son
or daughter without issue the property of such adopted parent still un-
disposed of shall descend to his or her next of kin and not to the next of
kin of such adopted son or daughter.

No property which by any will, deed, or other writing would go to the
child or heir of the person so adopting an adult shall go to such adopted
adult. unless the absolute fee simple first vested in the person so adopt-
ing the adult.