Fred Kuchenig v. The California Company

WISDOM, Circuit Judge:

This case, a sequel, perhaps not the last, to Kuchenig v. California Co., 5 Cir. 1965, 350 F.2d 551, cert. denied, 382 U.S. 985, 86 S.Ct. 561, 15 L.Ed.2d 473,1 presents two questions. Under Missouri law, what effect should be given to a so-called “equitable” adoption, that is, a de facto adoption that has almost all, but not all, of the legal consequences of an adoption in strict compliance with the Missouri adoption statute? Under Louisiana law, what effect should be given in this case to the adoptee’s claim to land in Louisiana allegedly owned by his adoptive parents?

Mi…