Anderson v. Maddox

Gregory, Justice.

Earlie Anderson filed a complaint seeking a declaration that he was the virtually adopted son of James Maddox and Annie Mae Maddox in order to share in the distribution of their estates. Summary judgment was granted to defendants below and Anderson appealed. We reverse.

The issue before us is whether there was evidence of an agreement between the natural and adoptive parents sufficient to preclude summary judgment.

The trial court had before it the testimony of Olivia Anderson Gates, the sister of Earlie Anderson’s natural father, Reese Anderson. She testified Earlie Anderson…