Ghebreghiorghis v. Department of Labor & Industries

The Department of Labor and Industries appeals the superior court’s judgment awarding Elsa Ghebreghiorghis industrial insurance benefits as the surviving spouse of Tecle Ghebremichale. The Department contends that the superior court lacked jurisdiction to vacate the decree dissolving Ghebreghiorghis and Ghebremichale’s marriage after Ghebremichale’s death.

Because Ghebremichale died before Ghebreghiorghis moved to vacate the dissolution decree, the superior court lacked jurisdiction to vacate the decree. But even if the superior court had jurisdiction to vacate the decree, Ghebreghiorghis is…