Definition of Equitable Adoption
"Equitable adoption” refers to situation involving oral contract to adopt child, fully performed except that there was no statutory adoption, and in which rule is applied for benefit of child in determination of heirship upon death of person contracting to adopt. Barlow v. Barlow, 170 Colo. 465, 463 P.2d 305, 308. In certain jurisdictions, a child has rights of inheritance from person who has contracted to adopt him but has not done so. Dunn v. Richardson, D.C.Ark., 336 F.Supp. 649, 654.
That's the definition of Equitable Adoption in Black's Law Dictionary 6th Edition. Courtesy of Cekhukum.com.