Franklin v. Gilchrist

Carley, Justice.

Mr. and Mrs. Booker T. Washington were married" in 1961. Mrs. Washington’s first marriage had ended in divorce and she was awarded custody of her then-minor children, Napoleon and Hershey Franklin. The Franklins lived with their mother and Mr. Washington. There were no children born as issue of the marriage between Mr. and Mrs. Washington. Although it is undisputed that Mr. Washington was a very good step-father to the Franklins, he never formally adopted them. The Franklins kept their natural father’s surname, but saw him only rarely before his death. Mrs. Washington…