Government of the Virgin Islands ex rel. Seaton v. Appleton

MEMORANDUM OPINION

The issue before the Court is whether upon the death of the custodial parent, child support arrearage payments are to be paid directly to the child even though the child has reached majority, or whether such payments become a party of the custodial parent’s estate, distributable by descent and distribution. The Court holds that such payments become a part of the custodial parent’s estate.

FACTS

On September 26, 1966, the Court determined respondent, Gilbert Appleton, to be the father of Ellen Seaton, whose mother was the Petitioner, Juliet Seaton. Respondent was then ordered…