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Lehr v. Robertson
Supreme Court of the United States (1983) | 77 L. Ed. 2d 614; 103 S. Ct. 2985; 463 U.S. 248; 1983 U.S. LEXIS 92; 51 U.S.L.W. 5010
TL;DR: An unwed father who failed to establish a substantial relationship with his child and did not use a state registry to claim paternity has no constitutional right to notice before the child is adopted.
Legal Significance: The case establishes that an unwed father's biological link to a child is an "opportunity interest," not a fundamental right. Due process protection for parental rights requires the father to demonstrate a commitment to the responsibilities of parenthood.