Stade v. Andruizzi

The question posed by this case is whether an adopted child can inherit by operation of law from her deceased parent’s family when the surviving parent remarries and the new spouse (here, a stepfather) adopts the child. We hold that she cannot.

The adopted child is plaintiff Veronica Ruth Smith Stade. Veronica was adopted in 1950 by Wallace Smith and Ruth Smith. Wallace Smith died in 1952. Ruth Smith, in 1954, married Bertel Stade, and Bertel adopted Veronica in 1955.

Wallace Smith was Margaret Adolphson’s only brother. Margaret died intestate in Grand Rapids in 1976. Margaret was not survived…