Document: 463 U.S. 248 103 S.Ct. 2985 77 L.Ed.2d 614 Jonathan LEHR, Appellant,v.Lorraine ROBERTSON et al. No. 81-1756. Argued Dec. 7, 1982. Decided June 27, 1983. Syllabus Appellant is the putative father of a child born out wedlock. Appellee mother married another man (also an appellee) after was born. Subsequently, when over two years old appellees filed adoption petition in Ulster County, N.Y., Family Court, which entered order adoption. never supported or offered to marry appellee mother, did not enter his name New York's "putative registry," would have entitled him notice proceeding, and any classes fathers who are required by York law receive proceedings. After proceeding commenced, appellant paternity Westchester Court. learned pending several months later. Shortly thereafter, attorney sought stay determination action, but that time County Court had order. vacate on ground it obtained violation rights under Due Process Equal Protection Clauses Fourteenth Amendment. The denied petition, both Appellate Division Supreme Appeals affirmed. Held: 1. Appellant's Clause were violated. Pp. 256-265. (a) Where unwed demonstrates full commitment responsibilities parenthood "com[ing] forward participate rearing child," Caban v. Mohammed, 441 380, 392, 99 1760, 1768, 60 297, interest personal contact with acquires substantial protection Clause. But mere existence biological link does merit equivalent protection. If natural fails grasp opportunity develop relationship child, Constitution will automatically compel State listen opinion where child's best interests lie. 256-263. (b) Here, has adequately protected appellant's inchoate assuming responsible role future child. Under special statutory scheme, right completely within control. By mailing postcard registry, he could guaranteed State's conclusion more open-ended re uirement merely complicate process, threaten privacy mothers, create risk unnecessary controversy, impair desired finality decrees, cannot be characterized as arbitrary. require either trial judge litigant give nonparties presumptively capable asserting protecting their own rights. 263-265. 2. Nor Because established statutes at issue operate deny equal Cf. Quilloin Walcott, 434 246, 98 549, 54 511. continuous custodial responsibility for whereas custodial, personal, financial In such circumstances, prevent from according parents different legal supra, distinguished. ---- - ----. N.Y. 417, 446 N.Y.S.2d 20, 430 N.E.2d 896 (1981), David J. Freeman, White Plains, appellant. Jay L. Samoff, Kingston, appellees. Robert Abrams, Atty.Gen., pro se. Peter H. Schiff Schack, Asst. Attys. Gen., Albany, brief Atty.Gen. STEVENS, Justice. question presented whether sufficiently unmarried father's whom rarely seen since her birth. appellant, Lehr, claims Amendment, interpreted Stanley Illinois, 405 645, 92 1208, 31 551 (1972), 297 (1979), absolute heard before may adopted. We disagree. Jessica M. wedlock November 9, 1976. Her Lorraine Robertson, Richard Robertson eight Jessica's birth.1 On December 21, 1978, old, Robertsons York. court testimony received favorable report Department Social Services. March 1979, adoption.2 this contends invalid because he, father, given advance proceeding.3 maintains registry."4 A files registry intent claim therefore adopt Before entering order, examined. Although registry. addition persons whose names listed requires other possible children wedlock—those been adjudicated those identified birth certificate, live openly hold themselves sworn written statement, six old.5 admittedly member classes. He lived prior visited hospital born, appear certificate. birth, provided them support, appellee. Nevertheless, following circumstances gave constitutional hearing January 30, one month commenced Ul ter "visitation petition" asked paternity, reasonable visitation privileges Jessica. Notice served February 22, 1979. Four days later appellee's informed County; then staying until rule motion change venue County. 3, and, first time, telephoned inform planned seek petition. telephone conversation, advised lawyer already signed earlier day. According attorney, stated aware believe entry Thereafter, granted dismiss holding ". . must deemed severed so long exists." App. 228. appeal dismissal.6 fraud oral argument "dropped ball" approving without giving notice. Tr. 53. deliberating months, explaining its decision thorough opinion. Matter Adoption Martz, 102 Misc.2d 102, 423 378 (1979). "XX", App.Div.2d 381, 772 (1980). majority held commencement action provisions statute constitutional, retroactive.7 Parenthetically, observed "could insured signing registry." App.Div.2d, 383, 772. One justice dissented filing should viewed also affirmed divided vote. N.Y.2d (1981). need consider our affected notice, retroactive.8 It rejected guilty upon court. Finally, addressed what described only contention substance advanced appellant: abuse discretion requiring primary purpose provision § 111-a enable person provide evidence concerning made no tender indicating ability particular information relevant interest. Considering record whole, acknowledging might prudent concluded family abused reopen dissenting judges discretion, refused now invoked appellate jurisdiction.9 offers alternative grounds scheme unconstitutional. First, actual potential liberty destroyed due process law; argues deprived Second, gender-based classification statute, consent accorded fewer procedural than violated Clause.10 Claim. Amendment provides shall deprive life, liberty, property law. When novel context, practice begin inquiry precise nature private threatened State. See, e.g., Cafeteria Workers McElroy, 367 886, 895-896, 81 1743, 1748-1749, 6 1230 (1961). Only identified, can we properly evaluate adequacy process. See Morrissey Brewer, 408 471, 482-483, 2593, 2600-2601, 33 484 (1972). turn discussion procedure * intangible fibers connect parent infinite variety. They woven throughout fabric society, providing strength, beauty, flexibility. self-evident they vital appropriate cases. deciding case, however, broad framework traditionally used resolve problems arising parent-child relationship. vast cases, state determines final outcome. United States Yazell, 382 341, 351-353, 86 500, 506-507, 16 404 (1966). Rules governing inheritance property, adoption, custody generally specified enactments vary State.11 Moreover, equally varied laws marriage divorce affect multitude relationships. institution played critical defining entitlements members developing decentralized structure democratic society.12 recognition role, part general overarching concern serving children, almost universally express preference formal family.13 some Federal supersedes even greater certain emphasized paramount welfare noted counterpart assumed. Thus, "liberty" control education vindicated Meyer Nebraska, 262 390, 43 625, 67 L.Ed. 1042 (1923), Pierce Society Sisters, 268 510, 45 571, 69 1070 (1925), "right, coupled high duty, recognize prepare [the child] additional obligations." Id., 535, S.Ct., 573. linkage between parental duty stressed again Prince Massachusetts, 321 158, 166, 64 438, 88 645 (1944), declared cardinal principal "that custody, care nurture reside parents, functio freedom include preparation obligations neither supply nor hinder." 442. these cases found love recognized unit Moore City East Cleveland, 431 494, 97 1932, 52 531 (1977) (plurality opinion). "[S]tate intervention terminate [such a] accomplished procedures meeting requisites Clause." Santosky Kramer, 455 745, 752, 1388, 1393, 71 599 (1982). There few considered extent affords concerned see, Trimble Gordon, 762, 1459, (1977); Jimenez Weinberger, 417 628, 94 2496, 41 363 (1974); Weber Aetna Casualty, 406 164, 1400, 768 improperly liberty. This examined illegitimate receives precisely three cases: 511 (1978), involved constitutionality Illinois conclusively presumed every unfit children. case all lives eighteen years. nothing indicate neglectful cared U.S., 655, 1214. irrelevant. Once died, wards state. Relying Michigan case14 recognizing preservation "a subsisting father" better serve "uprooting knew birth,"id., 654-655, n. 1214-1215, automatic destruction present regarding fitness parent.15 Georgia authorized objection father. legitimated remarried new husband legitimation. interests, unanimously consistent conflicting maintained joint c stody respectively four old. challenged validity authorizing mother's children; relied upheld claim, address challenge. comments latter Justices nevertheless instructive, identify clear distinction responsibility. Justice Stewart correctly observed: 1 "Even if assumed each substantive maintain relationship, cf. Smith Organization Foster Families, 816, 862-863 [97 2094, 2119, 53 14] (opinion concurring judgment), means follows right. Parental do spring full-blown connection relationships enduring." 397, 1770 (emphasis added).16 2 similar vein, dissenters prepared "assume that, develops, against arbitrary matter process." 414, 1779, added). 3 difference developed implicated Caban, significant. clause. At point said "act[s] toward children." 389, 1766, 7. actions sever genetic bonds. "[T]he importance familial individuals stems emotional attachments derive intimacy daily association, f om plays 'promot[ing] way life' through instruction well fact blood relationship." Families Equality Reform, 844, 2109-2110, 14 (quoting Wisconsin Yoder, 205, 231-233, 1526, 1541-1542, 32 15 (1972)).17 4 significance male possesses offspring. grasps accepts measure future, enjoy blessings make uniquely valuable contributions development.18 so, 5 assessing terminating significant Jessica, establish tie she old.19 form II most effective authorize govern consequences. availability is, course, dependent adopted protect 7 Court's Stanley, Legislature appointed commission recommend legislation accommodate children's prompt procedures. recommended, legislature enacted, seven categories likely children.20 omit many fathers, qualification beyond interested thought procedurally inadequate. Yet, courts reviewed observed, proceedings possibility failed ignorance sufficient reason criticizing itself. requirement mothers,21 decrees. Regardless done likewise legislators instead judges, surely characterize state's arbitrary.22 8 argues, normal affiliation amounts indirect attack statute. legitimate facilitating young having completed expeditiously underlie entire justify judge's parties adhere requirements rights.23 Since establishing find offended strictly complied 9 concept impartially. Transit Authority Beazer, 440 568, 587, 1355, 1366, 59 587 sovereign draw distinctions based solely differences irrelevant governmental objective. Reed Reed, 71, 76, 251, 254, 30 225 (1971).24 Specifically, subject men women disparate treatment there relation disparity important purpose. Ibid; Craig Boren, 429 190, 197-199, 451, 456-457, 50 397 (1976). 10 sections 111 111a Domestic Relations Law, intended adoptions. Those designed promote third parties, ensure promptness finality.25 To ends, guarantees people veto proceeding. always favored class, included. invidious. 11 As above, nonexistence criterion evaluating like "ha[d] shouldered respect supervision, education, protection, complain exemption responsibilities. ." 256, 555. wedlock, violate Because, Quilloin, daughter, see p. 262, 12 constitutionally applied class similarly situated regard grant four-year-old girl six-year-old boy, admitted participated clear, "come [would] preclude[ ] withholding privilege vetoing child." 1768. 13 Caban. Whereas her. ther abandoned26 rights.27 judgment Affirmed. WHITE, MARSHALL BLACKMUN join, dissenting. 17 may, Clause, existence, whereabouts, 18 axiomatic "[t]he fundamental 'at meaningful manner.' " Mathews Eldridge, 424 319, 333, 96 893, 902, 47 (1976), quoting Armstrong Manzo, 380 545, 552, 85 1187, 1191, 62 (1965). Lehr not.1 interest, finality. 19 met 1971 began living together 1974. couple cohabited approximately years, Throughout pregnancy acknowledged friends relatives father; told reported Services father.2 day during Lorraine's confinement. discharged August, concealed whereabouts him. During ceased efforts locate achieved sporadic success 1977, unable all. occasions determine location, willing permit it. aid detective agency, located Mr. Robertson. asserts assistance set up trust fund refused. arrest unless stayed away Thereafter retained counsel wrote early December, requesting visit threatening Lehr's behalf. perhaps response here. 20 posits cases." Ante, 256 purports analyze facts expressly approach. Board Regents Roth, 564, 570-571, 2701, 2705-2706, 548 although weighing situations, apply place, look 'weight' stake Amendment's 839-842, 2106-2108, Ingraham Wright, 651, 672, 1401, 1413, 51 711 Meachum Fano, 427 215, 224, 2532, 2538, 49 451 (1976); Goss Lopez, 419 565, 575-576, 95 729, 736-737, 42 725 (1975); 481, 2600, 21 "nature interest" here frequently "stressed bonds, legitimized marriage, protection." Little Streater, 452 1, 13, 101 2202, 2209, 68 627 "both [putative father] compelling accurate outcome ibid, disputed result termination father-child "A parent's accuracy status commanding one." Lassiter Services, 18, 2153, 2160, 640 dispute less operates permanently 22 version "facts" paints far picture portrayed majority. majority's recitation, "[a]ppellant old," ante, obviously tell whole story. afforded case. legitimation instituted stayed, dismissed, appellees' motions. proceedings, failure fairly quality complete factual record. us assume allegations true—that kind concedes panoply protections.3 23 I reject peculiar notion "it offspring." 262. "mere relationship" unimportant determining suggests. 24 usual understanding 'family' implies relationships, decisions treating element." 843, 2109. "biological connection" itself creates Thus "nature" relationship; how well-developed become goes "weight," "nature."4 Whether entail searching into simple exists—a agrees established. 25 Beyond basis proceed, quite untenable conclude lacking substance, effect abandoned ultimately same minimum protections fathers. Any analysis conducted assumption strong That say adoptive conduct exhaustive search records intensive investigation entered. State, least represent effort identity adequate 26 about location exactly terminated order.5 fundamentals right, "has little reality worth choose himself default, acquiesce contest." Schroeder York, 371 208, 212, 83 279, 282, 255 (1962), Mullane Central Hanover Trust Co., 339 306, 314, 70 652, 657, 865 (1950). 27 much insists relies 111-a, designates given, including paternity. submits anyone name, permitted do, otherwise designated categories, known reasonably ascertainable 28 am unpersuaded position. defines though placed file pursuant section. initiated filiation clearly easily categories. Initiating necessarily involves acknowledgement take note trifling burden, undertakes adjudication action.6 Indeed, acknowledge adjudged contested action. 29 problem overcome seventh category namely register advantage device known, contends, identity, difficulty represents grudging crabbed approach resorting p tative fathers' register. makes sense me unmistakably suit notified thus face. Even foreclosed utilize somehow disadvantaged effectively means, sheerest formalism wrong manner.7 No substantially denying hearing. doubt expediting remaining unduly foster parents. involving agency. Here remain custody. utilized register, hearing, justifiable reason, terms delay, refuse undoubted orders known. illustrates, litigation reopening vacation unseemly rush ordering cause shown why transferred consolidated hardly justified contrary, March, remained open very my view violates discriminating gender. Respectfully, dissent. ease term "appellee" hereafter older Renee, challenge Renee. conceded purposes is. entered, 372-c Law provided: "1. department addresses r "2. therein current notify prescribed regulations department. "3. revoke previously therewith receipt notification revoked nullity nunc tunc. "4. An unrevoked introduced party, relevant. "5. shall, request, divulged person, except good shown." subdivisions 2-4 Persons subdivision section, include: "(a) child; "(b) territory certified copy section hundred seventy-two social services "(c) timely "(d) recorded certificate "(e) "(f) written, statement; "(g) subsequent execution surrender instrument initiation eighty-four-b sole Without trying intervene attempted dismissed. decided April 24, successfully required. discussed retroactivity, 401, 415-416, 1772, 1780-1781, postponed consideration jurisdiction merits. 456 970, 2231, 72 843 Our review persuades being repugnant Constitution, U.S.C. 1257(2). us. purely sitting court, questions decide unconstitutional inadequately impermissible present, legislatures inclined retain unique attributes respective bodies For example, end 1982, states Uniform Parentage Act. 9A U.L.A. 171 (1983 Supp.) Hafen, Marriage, Kinship, Sexual Privacy, Mich.L.Rev. 463, 479-481 (1983) (hereinafter Hafen). 769, 1464, ("No disputes appropriateness Illinois' unit, society."). plurality societal value bonds 505, 1938, (Opinion POWELL, J.): "Out choice, necessity, responsibility, common close duties satisfactions home. Especially times adversity, death spouse economic need, broader tended come mutual sustenance rebuild secure home life." Mark T., Mich.App. 122, 154 N.W.2d (1967). Having "concluded removed custody," while granting inescapably contrary 658, 1216. balance paragraph acquire enters traditional "the child" sufficient. "The carries bears clear. gauged measures. tradition, mother. definition, arise taken place. suffice comparable supra. wishes conflict, resolution favor seems absence appropriately place limit whatever exist virtue Ibid. Commentators fully Comment, 46 Brooklyn L.Rev. 95, 115-116 (1979) ("the springs rather, child"); Note, 58 Neb.L.Rev. 610, 617 ("a show employ methods solidifying remove parents"); Emory L.J. 845, 854 (1980) ("an parentage, rather willingness admit tangible child"). Poulin, Illegitimacy Privacy: Note Maternal Cooperation Paternity Suits, Nw.U.L.Rev. 910, 916-919 (1976) Poulin); Developments 93 Harv.L.Rev. 1156, 1275-1277 (1980); Duquesne 375, 383-384, 73 440, 460 57 Denver 671, 680-683 1979 Wash.U.L.Q. 1029, 1035; U.C.D.L.Rev. 412, 450, 218 Of sides ongoing debate among psychologists relative weight ties psychological ties, parent. reflects differences, guaranteeing simply happens involve object total strangers. anything, equities tips opposite this. relief observation applicable here: "Nor proposed lived. Rather, concerned, Whatever situation anything denial legitimation, 'best child.' 255, 1976 Amendments temporary drafting stated, part: dispel uncertainties guidelines out-of-wedlock expeditious method placement agencies identifying creation Conversely, bill afford expressing heard. obviate existing permitting petitioners codify require. doing policy requirements; establish, rights, parties; (c) facilitate planning permanence status; (d) foregoing, Brief C-15. Roe Norton, 422 391, 2221, (1975), vacating remanding 365 F.Supp. 65 (D.Conn.1973). Poulin 922-932; Barron, Unwed Father Termination Rights, L.Q. 527, 542 (1975). deem unconstitutionally courts' distort interests. gives proffer suggest confirmation unwise; know accepted feature adversary system defendant knows limitations run plaintiff advice. suggestion engaged fraudulent practices led Idaho designating administrators estates intestate decedents, "[o]f claiming administer, males preferred females." reduce workload probate eliminating contests. Writing unanimous THE CHIEF JUSTICE using gender objective, legislative choice forbidden 254. articulated goal coin flip. systematically harmed explained product hab t, reflection, Califano Goldfarb, 199, 222, 1021, 1035, 270 (STEVENS, J., invidious indefensible stereotype, id., 218, 1032. Such inimical norm impartial government. mandate impartiality constrains actors implement laws. manner announced chose Cecil Sally "because prefer contest ends "at risk" economically, medically, emotionally, educationally. E. Crellin, Pringle, P. West, Born Illegitimate: Educational Implications 96-112 (1971); T. Lash, Sigal, D. Dudzinski, Child: II, "may proceed distinguishes reasons forth discussion, rational merit. assumes noteworthy NYCRR 369.2(b), recipients public Aid Dependent Children program condition eligibility apparently Je sica's birth; unclear regulation went 1977. necessary amended communicate "prevented agency lawful N.Y.Dom.Rel.Law 111(1)(d) (as Chap. 575, 1980). recognizes lesser standard requirements, prevented forming citation examples disingenuous. Neither both, 253, 553, (1978); 385 1764 Absent bar divulge permanent Likewise, identification seeks applies benefits Program. 2, obligation assure funds expended exists fall. indication sponsor included believed letter Counsel Governor, Senator Pisani expected keep up-to-date "such elected avail initiate chosen 'notice intent' affecting Attorney General 35a forbids removing offensive presumption fit Today indulges presumption—that waived regardless obligations.

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