Dampier v. Williams

OPINION

Harvey Brown, Justice

Donald Williams died intestate. In the subsequent probate proceedings, the probate court granted summary judgment to Donald’s niece, Cheryl Williams Yearnd, and his grand-niece, Heidi Williams, declaring that they are Donald’s only living heirs. Tracy Dampier argues that Donald orally adopted him as his son “by estoppel” when Tracy was 19 and that, as Donald’s adopted son, he is “owner of all of [Donald’s] estate.” Tracy requests that we be the first -Texas appellate court to recognize an oral adoption of an adult, by another adult through estoppel. We decline to…