Metropolitan Life Insurance v. Johnson

This is an appeal from an order of the circuit court of Cook County finding Clifford Cody to be the illegitimate son and sole heir of James Cody, who died intestate.

The issues presented for review are: (1) whether Clifford Cody was proven by clear and convincing evidence to be the son of the decedent; and (2) whether the Illinois Statute (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1979, ch. 110/2, par. 2 — 2) permitting an adjudication of paternity of an illegitimate after the death of the alleged father who dies intestate, denies equal protection or due process of law to collateral heirs.

Pursuant to petition, a…