Bert v. Bert

Plaintiff Sherry Gautz (formerly Bert) and defendant David Bert were divorced by order of the Monroe Circuit Court on July 23, 1982. Ms. Gautz was awarded custody of the parties’ minor daughter. David Bert was granted reasonable visitation with the child. No provision was made in the judgment of divorce for visitation by any of the child’s grandparents.

David Bert was shot and killed on December 21, 1982. On February 12, 1983, Ms. Gautz remarried and moved to Toledo, Ohio, with her daughter and new husband. Adoption proceedings were begun in Ohio. The child was legally adopted by Ms. Gautz’s…