In some States the agreement of surrender must be coupled with a promise to give the child inheritance rights in the adopting parent's personal property where the child otherwise would have none.

The promise of inheritance rights need not be stated separately and precisely. It is enough if the words in the promise to adopt show clearly the obligation to give the child inheritance rights. Where the language is ambiguous, consider the later words and actions of the adopting parents.

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  Decide each case in the light of all the facts.

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  Submit questionable situations to the Office of General Counsel (OGC) per GN 01010.815 ff. for a determination of applicable State law.