Value of a birth certificate
Posted: 23 November 2016
After his father died, Jean's extended family sought to evict him from his family home. They claimed that the man he had always called "dad" was not his father, and as such had no claim on any inheritance. Despite having lived in the same home as his father, and been cared for as a son, the family were adamant he had no claim. Like many children in his community, and across the world, Jean didn't have a birth certificate so couldn't challenge their claims.
Our partners, LOH intervened and successfully argued that since he was treated in all ways as a son, he should be considered a son in any event, and therefore benefit from his father's estate. The court agreed and awarded Jean his share of the inheritance.
Jean is now finishing his education and thriving. He has a small area of land, a home and a bright future.
