Cornelius v. Roberts

DANIEL E. SCOTT, Judge.

D.E.B. (“Child”) was orphaned at age four when her 36-year-old mother (“Mother”) died.1 Mother and Child then, and for nearly all of Child’s life, lived with Respondent, who helped provide and care for Child. In fact, Mother once moved from the home for a time, but left Child with Respondent.

The week after Mother died, Respondent petitioned for appointment as Child’s guardian and conservator. Appellant, Child’s teenage stepsister, filed a competing petition a week later. The trial court considered both petitions, and after a trial, ruled in Respondent’s favor. We must…