Pierson v. Babb-Free

Opinion

RUVOLO, J.

Petitioner and appellant Orange Pierson (Pierson) appeals from the denial of his petition to determine distribution rights in the estate of *439Jessie Lee Anderson (decedent). (Prob. Code, § 11700.) The primary issue is whether the trial court correctly applied the doctrine of estoppel to prevent Pierson, an undivorced bigamous spouse, from asserting his inheritance rights as a “surviving spouse” against the estate of his legally recognized first spouse who died intestate. We affirm, finding Pierson was properly estopped from claiming spousal inheritance rights.

Facts

The decedent…