Murphy v. Collins (In re Fields)

HILL, J.:

**629This appeal concerns the scope of S.C. Code § 15-51-40 (Supp. 2017) as it relates to an unwed father's right to share in the proceeds of the settlement of a wrongful death action arising out of a child's tragic death during delivery. Because we find evidence supporting the finding of the probate court that the father failed to reasonably support or otherwise provide for the needs of the child, we reverse the order of the circuit court and reaffirm the ruling of the probate court.

I

Lauren Murphy and Mark Collins met in July 2011 while working together at Wal-Mart. They were both…