New Case: In re Estate of Scherer

The Supreme Court of Wyoming refused to recognize the doctrine of equitable adoption on the plain meaning of Wyo. Stat. § 2-4-104, which provides that “stepchildren and foster children and their descendants do not inherit.”  The court also supported its conclusion by noting that one of the purposes of the probate code is to simplify and clarify the administration of the law, which the complexity inherent in applying the concepts of equitable adoption would undermine. In re Estate of Scherer, 336 P.3d 129 (Wyo. 2014).

Special thanks to William LaPiana (Professor of Law, New York Law School) for bringing this case to my attention.