Woods v. Estate of Woods

NESBITT, Senior Judge.

Following the settlement of a wrongful death action on behalf of the estate of the decedent, Jeremy C. Woods, a minor, the proceeding became a contest between the competing natural parents as to the proper allocation of the sums available as a result of the claim of mental pain and suffering. See § 768.21(4)Fla. Stat. (1998). The trial judge adopted the mother’s argument that the father was not present at the child’s birth nor listed on his birth certificate, and “had little or no contact with Jeremy dur*1271ing his lifetime, and provided minimal or no support for Jeremy…