Document: 439 U.S. 259 99 S.Ct. 518 58 L.Ed.2d 503 Robert M. LALLI, Appellant,v.Rosamond Administratrix of the Estate Mario Lalli, et al. No. 77-1115. Argued Oct. 4, 1978. Decided Dec. 11, Syllabus Appellant, assertedly illegitimate son who died intestate in New York, filed a petition for compulsory accounting from appellee administratrix estate, claiming that he was entitled to inherit as his child. Appellee opposed petition, arguing even if appellant were Mario's child, not lawful distributee estate because had failed comply with York statutory provision (§ 4-1.2) pertinent part allows an child father only court competent jurisdiction has, during father's lifetime, entered order declaring paternity. Appellant contended failure obtain such lifetime could bar inheritance § 4-1.2 discriminated against him on basis birth violation Equal Protection Clause Fourteenth Amendment. tendered evidence The Surrogate's Court ruled properly excluded under 4-1.2. Appeals affirmed and upheld constitutionality statute. Held: judgment is affirmed. Pp. 264-276; 276; 276-277. 43 N.Y.2d 65, 400 N.Y.S.2d 761, 371 N.E.2d 481, Mr. Justice POWELL, joined by THE CHIEF JUSTICE STEWART, concluded does violate Trimble v. Gordon, 430 762, 97 1459, 52 31, distinguished. 264-276. (a) While classifications based illegitimacy are subject "strict scrutiny," they invalid Amendment substantially related permissible state interests, Mathews Lucas, 427 495, 506, 96 2755, 2762, 49 651; supra, at 767, 1464. P. 265. (b) Illinois statute invalidated (which, addition requiring acknowledgment paternity, required legitimation through intermarriage parents precondition inheritance) eliminated "the possibility middle ground between extremes complete exclusion [of illegitimates their fathers' estates] case-by-case determination paternity." But single requirement issue evidentiary one; marital status irrelevant. 266-267. (c) primary goal underlying challenged aspects provide just orderly disposition decedent's property where paternal children concerned, area involving unique difficult problems proof. 268-271. (d) Section represents carefully considered legislative how best "grant so far practicable rights par those enjoyed legitimate children," while protecting important interest decedents' estates. Accuracy enhanced placing paternity disputes judicial forum father, which (in permitting man defend reputation unjust claims) helps forestall fraudulent assertions administration facilitated, delay uncertainty minimized, entitlement matter record before commences. there may be some instances 4-1.2, often case classifications, will produce inequitable results, reach statute, unlike involved Trimble, exceed justifiable objectives. 271-274. BLACKMUN would affirm below Labine Vincent, 401 532, 91 1017, 28 288, rather than distinguishing overrule decision. REHNQUIST concurred reasons stated dissent U.S., 777, S.Ct., 1468. 276. Leonard Henkin, Mount Vernon, N.Y., appellant. Irwin Strum, City, appellee. POWELL announced delivered opinion, STEWART join. 1 This presents challenge York's Estates, Powers, Trusts Law,1 requires fathers succession particular form proof Legitimate same requirement. 2 * Lalli claims January 7, 1973, State York. Appellant's mother, 1968, never married Mario. After widow, Rosamond appointed her husband's petitioned Westchester County accounting, sister Maureen children. petition. She argued children, distributees 4-1.2,2 provides part: 3 "An made filiation proceeding instituted pregnancy mother or within two years child." 4 conceded obtained putative lifetime. He contended, however, imposing this requirement, Amendment.3 certain relationship including notarized document consenting appellant's marriage, referred "my son," several affidavits persons acknowledged openly 5 noted previously, unsuccessfully, been attacked Clause. reviewing recent decisions concerning discrimination particularly 288 (1971), three affirming In re Belton, 70 Misc.2d 814, 335 177 (Surr.Ct.1972); Hendrix, 68 439, 444, 326 646, 652 (Surr.Ct.1971); Crawford, 64 758, 762-763, 315 890, 895 (Surr.Ct.1970), Lalli's therefore lacked accounting. 6 On direct appeal 38 77, 378 351, 340 721 (1975). It understood require show no more "there rational means chosen Legislature accomplishment objective." N.Y.2d, 81, N.Y.S.2d, 354, N.E.2d, 723. discussing peculiar establishing maternity, constitutionally decree exclusive 7 appealed Appeals' decision Court. pending here, we decided 31 (1977). Because issues these cases similar respects, vacated remanded permit further consideration light Trimble. 431 911, 2164, 53 220 8 remand,4 Appeals, judges dissenting, adhered its former disposition. 481 contemplated standard review demanding "a mere finding remote purpose," 67, 482, though less strictest scrutiny. Finding "significantly determinatively different" overturned law sufficiently State's " 'the settlement estates dependability titles passing intestacy laws,' 69-70, 763-764, 482-483, quoting 771, 1465, meet requirements equal protection. 9 again sought probable jurisdiction. 435 921, 98 1482, 55 514 (1978). We now affirm. II 10 begin our analysis At providing born out wedlock "acknowledged" legitimated parents. whose neither nor mother. had, found ordering contribute support. When intestate, met. 11 manner prohibited Although, 651 (1976), reaffirmed 1464, nevertheless interests. Upon examination, test. 12 Two interests proposed said foster: encouragement family relationships maintenance accurate efficient method disposing property. Granting appropriately concerned integrity unit, viewed bearing "only most attenuated asserted goal." 768, rejected argument "persons shun illicit relations offspring one day reap benefits" accrue them legitimate. Weber Aetna Casualty & Surety Co., 406 164, 173, 92 1400, 1405, 768 (1972). defensible incentive enter relationships. 13 Illinois' safeguarding death relevant classification. recognized devising "an appropriate legal framework" furtherance "is competence individual States." 1465. An aspect framework response problem proving danger spurious See infra, 270-271. These difficulties, said, "might justify either mothers' generally." 770, 14 flawed because, insisting upon but also marriage parents, it "at least significant categories men [whose] can without jeopardizing laws." Id., exceptional burdens proper objectives must 'carefully tuned alternative considerations,' id., 772, 1466, 513, 2766, true broad disqualification law. III 15 enacted 1965, intended soften rigors previous permitted mothers. 269. By lifting absolute inheritance, tended achieve desired effect. As question us whether remaining obstacles squared A. 16 outset observe different respects required, inheritance. combination 770-771, illustrated facts declaration insufficient 17 Under contrast, here one—that declared sometime death.5 need have father. Had governed she estate. n. 2, 762 482 2. 18 A difference provisions pertains served them. defended, part, encouraging No justification has offered support disclaimed purpose "even small discourage illegitimacy, mold human conduct set societal norms." 70, 764, 483. absence any intermarry otherwise history 269-271, confirm view. 19 Our inquiry, therefore, focused narrowly. asked decide discrete procedural demands places bear evident substantial relation designed serve. B 20 death.6 long States considerable magnitude. 1466; 170, 1404; 538, 1021; see Lyeth Hoey, 305 188, 193, 59 155, 158, 83 L.Ed. 119 (1938); Mager Grima, How. 490, 493, 1168 (1850). 21 directly implicated involved. Establishing maternity seldom difficult. observed: "[T]he recorded registered event usually taking place presence others. remains time necessarily reared her. That woman rarely prove." Ortiz, 60 756, 303 806, 812 (1969). Proof frequently when formal unit. "The goes way unconscious Even conscious, very totally unconcerned ties Indeed know responsible pregnancy." Ibid. (emphasis original); accord, Flemm, 85 855, 861, 381 573, 576-577 (Surr.Ct.1975); Misc.2d, 443, 650; cf. 1466. 22 Thus, number arise counsel treating identically all other heirs comprehensive study Temporary Commission Modernization, Revision Simplification Law Estates. group, known Bennett Commission,7 consisted individuals experienced practical administration. 858, 575. issued report recommendations legislature 1965. Fourth Report Legis.Doc. (1965) (hereinafter Report). codified included. 23 Although overarching "to alleviate plight child," 37, necessary impose strictures mitigate serious difficulties both testate decedents. Commission's perception described Surrogate Sobel, member busiest [surrogate's] measured traffic daily court," 857, 574 (Sobel, S.), participant deliberations: 24 illegitimate, unconditional intestacy, process parent kindred parent. . And, probating (though named beneficiary) person makes class 'issue' parent, process. How cite serve existence personal representative aware? And greatest concern, finality always exists however secret lurking buried past ancestor beneficiaries? Finality essential Surrogates' Courts since title real passes decree. statutes Due Process mandate notice opportunity heard parties. Given right succession, respect few 'known' illegitimates. almost insuperable burden regards 'unknown' point [Bennett] commission discussions instead affecting estates, created many—some members suggested majority estates." 859, 575-576. 25 Cf. Leventritt, 598, 601-602, 298, 300-301 (Surr.Ct.1977). 26 deceased himself known, facing likely persist. proof, expose. protect "innocent adults rightfully interested heirship harassing litigation seeking establish themselves heirs." C 27 substantial, consider adopted avoid above, recommended ensure resolution minimize potential disruption observed first opinion case, "availability father] should factor contributing reliability fact-finding process." 82, 355, 724. addition, permits "unjust accusations claims," secondary 266. participation Fraudulent much succeed, arise, put available respond, brought distribution assets offing.8 29 contends like excludes "significant children" allowed "without settlement" urges position—"known" who, despite lifetimes, present convincing cannot rationally denied pose none risks minimize.9 30 do able that, applied individuals, appears operate unfairly. entirely free criticism sometimes results. inquiry focus abstract "fairness" law, statute's promote tenuous lacks rationality unacceptable effected total disinheritance subsequent excess purposes. share defect. Inheritance barred secure prescribed State. inevitably disqualifies unnecessarily large wedlock. 32 courts interpreted liberally enhance utility sacrificing strength prophylactic. For example, willing acknowledge waive defenses proceeding, e. g., Thomas, 87 1033, 387 216 (Surr.Ct.1976), institute himself.10 N.Y. Family Act 522 (McKinney Supp.1978); 863, 578. excused "technical" failures prevent unnecessary injustice. E. Niles, A.D.2d 983, 385 876 denied, 40 809, 392 1027, 360 1109 (1977) (filiation signed nunc pro tunc relate back period prior court's factual made); Kennedy, 89 551, 554, 365, 367 (Surr.Ct.1977) (judicial treated "tantamount filiation," specifically therein). 33 clearly illustrates, 265 added), described. balance achieved. 34 if, BRENNAN believes, written somewhat equitably, function hypothesize independently desirability feasibility possible alternative[s]" scheme formulated 515, 2767. "These matters empirical calculation [the State]. end, precise accuracy State's] calculations specialized competence; detail beyond consistency substantiality." 515-516, 2767.11 35 conclude imposed promote. find 36 37 Affirmed. 1468, (1977), concurs affirmance. 39 concurring. seems me POWELL's convincingly demonstrates differences 31. Therefore, I agree view expressed BLACKMUN's concurring Gordon derelict," implication deciding give authoritative guidance legislatures States. 41 BLACKMUN, judgment. 42 result reached concur plurality opinion. My departure, course, plurality's valiant struggle distinguish, overrule, Term last, probate (an automobile worth approximately $2,500) sad appealing fact situation. Four Members Court, Supreme Illinois, "constitutionally indistinguishable (1971)," dissent. 776, today gratifyingly reverts principles forth Vincent. What Black applies force and, four thought, situation concerned. 44 refrains doing theory justified peculiarities Probate consideration. This, explanation, but, me, unconvincing one. regard derelict, explainable overtones offering little precedent constitutional laws. If corresponding questionable validity until them, one, being side line Labine-Lalli side. 45 BRENNAN, whom WHITE, MARSHALL, STEVENS join, dissenting. 46 declares adequately offer into "formal 772 14, inconsistent command. scheme, 47 illustrates injustice departure worked today's sustaining rule. All parties concede Lalli. supported son's youth. formally son. 79, 352, 721, 722 Yet, want 48 There reason suppose aberrant. imagine instance voluntarily ever scheme. Social welfare agencies, busy errant fathers, unlikely bring proceedings Similarly, First, adversary proceedings. Second, aware rule orders, fear provoking disharmony suing fathers. reasons, mothers Finally, bother make wills (and thus die intestate) take matter, orders virtually impossible freely intestate. argued, reliance public acknowledgments open door accept argument. adhere difficulty fraud error. purported [in avoiding fraud] one." 552, 1028, (1971) (BRENNAN, J., dissenting). 50 my confidence unfounded, drastic screening might prove elevated clear evidence, reasonable doubt. Certainly dispute denying share. 51 protects belated unknown first. Publication short limitations well as, better than, event, assert hardly justifies cutting off am still speedy completely parentage simply apply children." 558 30, 1030 retreat Gordon. "forms compromise State['s] interests." 1466 14. discriminates purports invalidate 1965 Laws, ch. 958, 1. initially Decedent Est. 83-a. 1966 recodified material change Est., Powers 1967). 952. Further nonsubstantive amendments next year. 1967 686, §§ 28, 29. entirety provides: "(a) purposes article: "(1) maternal kindred. "(2) "(3) agreement obligating qualify subparagraph (2). "(4) motion relief year entry order. "(b) dies, surviving spouse, issue, letters decedent legitimate, provided accordance (2)." N.Y.Est., claimed N.Y.Const., Art. 1, 11. did we. unconstitutionally sex account alleged wrongful-death action behalf latter raised brief amici curiae remand Attorney General intervene defendant-appellee. merits oral merits. commenced "during declined two-year limitation opinions concededly all. judicially upheld, lose alone. If, hand, prevailed conditioned filiation, become irrelevant, itself unnecessary. (1977); 80 n., 353 723 passed limitation, us. sustains distinguishes others illegitimacy-based classification absent. Jimenez Weinberger, 417 628, 94 2496, 363 (1974); Gomez Perez, 409 535, 93 872, 56 (1973); 1404, (1972); Levy Louisiana, 391 68, 88 1509, 436 (1968). 1961. instructed recommend needed changes areas pertaining descent property, practice procedure relating thereto." 1961 N.Y.Laws, 731, below, not, restrict freedom prescribe regularized assure authenticity acknowledgment. sufficient satisfy infra. discriminating conjunction N.Y.Dom.Rel.Law 1977), impermissibly classes conceived after birth, marry, void, illegal, annulled. argues classifying "legitimate" later substituted 4-1.2's "illegitimate" escape unfortunate counterparts marry. 24, additional exacting treat making possible, will. 864, 579 (Surr.Ct.1975). reduce simplistic holding Constitution State, kind, recognize reading phrase lifted footnote. ignores rationale Court's context note relied appear. principle footnote elaborates arising forms select "carefully tailored eliminate imprecise unduly burdensome methods Legislature, benefit study, exercised accepting acknowledgment" post-death litigation, i. e., regularly prescribed, legally acknowledging 8, supra. plain sustain dissenting Indeed, simple "Certificate Consent" apparently minor. consists sentence: "THIS IS TO CERTIFY I, hereto subscribed name, hereby consent age years, shall united Janice Bivins minister gospel authorized solemnize marriages." App. A-14. signature notary public, certificate contains oath affirmation truth contents. identity executed giving biological meaning words son" ambiguous. One readily half-brother, took surname lived household, permission certificate. death, emphasized reiterated today, frustrated easily unsworn statement identifying "child" accepted adequate regardless made.

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