How does a child born out of wedlock acquire inheritance rights?
A child born out of wedlock may inherit the intestate personal property of the natural father if the child is “legitimated” (given the status of a legitimate child) under State law by performance of specific acts, e.g., the natural father’s marriage to the child’s natural mother. In some States, a child may acquire inheritance rights without being legitimated only if certain acts prescribed by State law are performed; for example, acknowledgment of paternity of the child.
