Smith v. Smith , 404 P.3d 909 ( 2017 )

OPINION BY

BRIAN JACK GOREE, PRESIDING JUDGE:

¶ 1 The issue on appeal is whether an adopted child is entitled to share in a remainder interest granted to the natural children bom of the life tenant. Robert Smith, deceased, was survived by two biological children, Dawnita Lynn Smith and Daphne Phae Smith, and one adopted child, Greg Smith. The trial court found that Dawnita, Daphne, and Greg were the remaindermen to the life estate of Robert. Dawnita and Daphne appealed. We reverse because the testator’s language expressed an intent to eliminate adopted children from the devise.

¶ 2 The decree of settlement of final account, determination of heirship and distribution for the parties’ grandmother; Esther Smith, stated: ■

[Pjursuant to numerical paragraph 3 of said Will, there is distributed to Robert Lee Smith a life estate in and to the [specified tract], and at his death the remainder to be distributed to his natural children, Daphne Smith, Donita Smith, and any other child or children borm [sic] to him, in equal shares, share and share-alike.

The parties agree that “Donita” means Daw-nita and that “borm” means born. They agree that Robert adopted Greg after Robert married Greg’s biological mother.

¶3 After Robert died, his daughters filed the action below seeking to quiet title to the property. The parties submitted the case on stipulated facts. At trial, the court announced its lulling that the adopted child should be treated' the same as the natural child, and those children bom to Robert Smith included adoptive children. The trial court granted judgment determining that all three children were remaindermen to Robert’s life estate.

¶ 4 Dawnita and Daphne contend the trial court erred by interpreting the devise contrary to Esther’s intent as expressed in the language of her will. We agree.

-¶ 5 The Oklahoma Adoption Code, 10 O.S. 2011 § 7505-6.5(A), provides:

After the final decree of adoption is entered, the relation of parent and child and all the rights, duties, and other legal consequences of the natural relation of child and parent shall thereafter exist between the adopted child and the adoptive parents of the child and the kindred of the adoptive parents.-From the date of the final decree of adoption, the child shall be entitled to inherit real and personal property from and through the adoptive parents in accordance with the statutes of descent and distribution.

This language has the effect of abolishing all pre-existing differences between adopted and natural children. Matter of Estate of Flowers, 1993 OK 19, ¶ 10, 848 P.2d 1146, 1151. Adopted children may not be eliminated as beneficiaries or devisees absent a clear and explicit expression to do so. Hines v. First Nat. Bank & Tr. Co. of Oklahoma City, 1985 OK 78, ¶ 6, 708 P.2d 1078, 1081. While the term “issue” does not exclude adopted children, the phrases “issue of the body” and “issue born in wedlock” do express an intent to except adopted children from sharing in the estate. Id. at ¶¶ 6-7.

¶ 6 In the present case, Esther limited the distribution of the remainder to natural children born to Robert. We hold that this phrase was sufficient to express an intent to eliminate adopted children from the devise. The trial court’s judgment is REVERSED and this matter is REMANDED for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.

JOPLIN, J., concurs; BELL, J., dissents.