In Re the Adoption of Henderson

This is an appeal from a judgment denying a petition to vacate an adoption decree.

In January 1980, the appellant married the respondent Geraldine Henderson. On March 11, 1980, he petitioned for the adoption of her three children by a former marriage. The natural father consented to the adoption. The matter was heard before a court commissioner who granted the petition. The decree prepared by the appellant's attorney stated that it should remain interlocutory for a period of 6 months and should then become absolute.

On September 1, 1980, the parties separated and a petition for dissolution of…