Smith v. Bradfield

OPINION

DONNELLY, Judge.

Appellant, Jean Audrey Bradfield appeals from an order vacating a final decree of adoption which had permitted her to adopt her granddaughter. We affirm.

The dispositive issue raised on appeal is whether a court has jurisdiction to enter a final decree of adoption posthumously by decreeing that the judgment be entered nunc pro tunc.

Appellant, a widow, initiated proceedings on March 14, 1979, in the District Court of Curry County, New Mexico, seeking to adopt her granddaughter, Jeanette Brad-field. In her petition, appellant alleged that the child’s mother, Judith Ann…