You can accept (adopt) an adult person as a child if you want a parent-child relationship with the person and this is morally justified. This is accepted in particular if there is already a parent-child relationship between you as the adopter and the adult person; for example, in the case of a stepchild or foster child. If such a relationship does not yet exist, there must be such a strong emotional connection that a relationship similar to the parent-child relationship can be expected. In addition, the assumption must appear morally justified in view of the purpose pursued. This means that the request for acceptance must not violate a moral prohibition and/or pursue exclusively a substantive purpose, such as the avoidance of inheritance tax or the establishment of a right of residence.

In order to adopt the adult as a family member, you and the person concerned must file an application with the family court.

The adoption of adults is basically an adoption with a weak effect. This means that the family relationships of the adopted adult to his biological family are not abolished, only the newly created relationship with the adopters is added.

Under certain conditions and on request, adoption with further legal consequences, such as those applicable to the adoption of minors, is also possible. This is also referred to as a "full adoption" or adoption with a "strong effect". This would result in an almost complete legal integration of the adult into your family. This means that the family relationship and thus, among other things, all inheritance and maintenance obligations towards the biological parents are abolished. In the case of stepchild adoption, this does not apply to the continuing relationship to the remaining parent.