Pierre v. Trelles

WALLACE, Judge.

In an allocation proceeding that ensued in the probate court after the settlement of an action for the wrongful death of Jean Michelet Sterile (the Decedent), the issue to be decided was whether Melissa Pierre, a/k/a Melissa Pierre Sterile, a/k/a Sodnie Duverge (Melissa), was the Decedent’s surviving spouse. The probate court rejected Melissa’s claim that she was married to the Decedent at the time of his death, and she appeals. Because the probate court improperly reached its decision by concluding that Melissa was estopped to assert that she was married to the Decedent…