Document: 434 U.S. 246 98 S.Ct. 549 54 L.Ed.2d 511 Leon Webster QUILLOIN, Appellant,v.Ardell Williams WALCOTT et al. No. 76-6372. Arg ed Nov. 9, 1977. Decided Jan. 10, 1978. Rehearing Denied March 6, See 435 918, 1477. Syllabus Under Georgia law no adoption of a child born in wedlock is permitted without the consent each living parent (including divorced or separated parents) who has not voluntarily surrendered rights been adjudicated an unfit parent. In contrast, §§ 74-403(3) and 74-203 Code provide that only mother's required for illegitimate child. However, father may acquire veto authority over if he legitimated pursuant to § 74-103 Code. These provisions were applied deny appellant, child, prevent by husband child's mother. Until petition was filed, appellant had attempted legitimate always custody then with mother her husband, appellees. opposing seeking but secure custody, claimed 74-403(3), as his case, violated Due Process Equal Protection Clauses Fourteenth Amendment. The trial court, granting on ground it "best interests child" legitimation not, rejected appellant's constitutional claims, Supreme Court affirmed. Held : 1. circumstances substantive under Clause application standard. This case which unwed at any time had, sought, proposed would place new set parents whom never lived. Rather, result here give full recognition existing family unit. Pp. 254-255. 2. protection principles do require be measured same standard father, from whose are readily distinguishable. State foreclosed recognizing difference extent commitment welfare between shouldered significant responsibility rearing, least will have borne rearing during period marriage. P. 255-256. 238 Ga. 230, 232 S.E.2d 246, William L. Skinner, Decatur, Ga., appellant. Thomas F. Jones, Atlanta, appellees, [i]pro hac vice, special leave Court. Mr. Justice MARSHALL delivered opinion 1 issue this constitutionality Georgia's laws December 1964 control mother, appellee Ardell Walcott, entire life. natural Quilloin, married other established home together, September 1967 Randall Walcott.1 1976, she consented immediately filed adoption. Appellant block visitation rights, did seek object continuing live Although found granted objection. 2 Stanley v. Illinois, 405 645, 92 1208, 31 551 (1972), held Illinois barred, matter both due process equal protection, taking children absent hearing particularized finding concluded, one hand, father's interest "companionship, care, management" "cognizable substantial," id., 651-652, S.Ct., 1212-13, and, State's caring "de minimis" fact fit parent, 657-658, 1215-1216. left unresolved degree must afford situation, such presented here, countervailing more substantial. 3 * Generally speaking, cannot adopted unfair parent.2 Even where proceedings, either Ga.Code (1975).3 To possessed parents, out offspring, marrying acknowledging own, 74-101, obtaining court order declaring capable inheriting 74-103.4 But unless until legitimated, recognized given exclusive exercise all parental prerogatives, 74-203,5 including power 4 11 years birth filing Walcott's petition.6 response petition, writ habeas corpus legitimation, objection adoption.7 Shortly thereafter, amended pleadings adding claim unconstitutional insofar they denied him presumed fathers law. 5 petitions adoption, consolidated Superior Fulton County, expressly stated these matters being tried basis record allow "the biological . right heard respect thing upon desire[s] heard, fitness ."8 After receiving extensive testimony parties witnesses, that, although abandoned deprived, provided support irregular basis.9 Moreover, while previously visited "many occasions," toys gifts "from time," recently concluded contacts having disruptive effect appellees' family.10 himself expressed desire Walcott take name,11 proper person adopt 6 On findings, well findings relating marriage life, determined [the] child." further, requested child," should consequently denied. situation since failed obtain lack standing Ruling claims merit, petitions. 7 took appeal Georgia, claiming particular, contended entitled mothers, make abandonment unfitness part see n. 2, supra, allowed. 8 Over dissent urged invalid affirmed decision court. (1977).12 majority relied generally strong state policy setting, court's view might thwarted adoptions. also emphasized force facts pointing sought stepfather, unit living, taken steps than years. noted addition unlike Stanley, de facto member 9 brought 28 U.S.C. 1257(2), challenge absolute contrast somewhat broader statement Court, focused solely disparate statutory treatment father.13 We probable jurisdiction, 431 937, 97 2647, 53 254 (1977), we now affirm. II 10 At outset, observe does sufficiency notice received proceeding, 7, nor can deprived individualized prior entry ultimate conclusion lacked reached after afforded opportunity offer evidence thought relevant, Had acquired seeking. however, complete answer attack 74-403(3). thereby precluded gaining authority, child"; contends preservation showing "unfitness." Thus, underlying whether, light fathers, adequately protected examine first Clause. A. 12 Appellees suggest violated, regardless constitutionally lost failure petition. hesitate rest ground, aware procedure filed.14 event need go far, 13 numerous occasions relationship protected. See, e. g., Wisconsin Yoder, 406 205, 231-233, 1526, 1541-42, 32 15 (1972); supra ; Meyer Nebraska, 262 390, 399-401, 43 625, 626-27, 67 L.Ed. 1042 (1923). "It cardinal us care nurture reside primary function freedom include preparation obligations neither supply hinder." Prince Massachusetts, 321 158, 166, 64 438, 442, 88 645 (1944). And firmly "freedom personal choice life liberties Amendment." Cleveland Board Education LaFleur, 414 632, 639-640, 94 791, 796, 39 52 (1974). 14 little doubt offended "[i]f attempt breakup family, objections their children, some sole reason so children's best interest." Smith Organization Foster Families, 816, 862-863, 2094, 2119, (1977) (Stewart, J., concurring judgment). actual legal Nor before already existence, desired concerned, except Whatever situations, say find anything denial B even prevail process, father. asserts indistinguishable those longer therefore acted impermissibly treating differently. think distinguishable accordingly believe could permissibly less provides 16 subject, essentially child-support obligation compare 74-202 74-105 30-301, exercised thus daily supervision, education, complain exemption responsibilities indeed, is, course, central aspect marital relationship, broken apart review, 17 For reasons, conclude deprive asserted Proces Clauses. judgment accordingly, 18 Affirmed. lived maternal grandmother initial marriage, moved appellees 1969 them thereafter. 74-403(1), (2) (1975). Section 74-403(1) sets forth general rule "no shall written 74-403(2) (1) child-placing agency court; willfully year comply court-imposed child; (3) terminated order, 24A-3201; (4) insane otherwise incapacitated giving consent; (5) diligent search made. operates exception provides: "Illegitimate children.—If illegitimate, alone suffice. Such consent, said licensed agency, Department Family Children Services." Sections (1975) hereinafter referred merely numbers. full: "A render petitioning superior county residence, setting name, age, sex name mother; desires changed, stating praying Of alive, notice. Upon application, pass legitimate, eriting manner lawful wedlock, known." states: "The possession provided. Being paternal power." its indicated word "paternal" second sentence provision misprint, instead intended read "parental." 231, 247 (1977). It appear certificate. 88-1709(d)(2). gave "Darrell Quilloin," alleges brief known Brief 11. notified Human Resources filed. re: Application Adoption Child, Case 8466 (Ga.Super.Ct., July 12, 1976), App. 70. 74-103, 74-203, silent appropriate proceeding initiated. Prior Court's consideration potential problems, Smith, 224 445-446, 162 379, 383-384 (1968). cf. Clark Buttry, 226 687, 177 89 (1970), aff'g, 121 Ga.App. 492, 174 356. occasion reconsider face evidently concurrent consistent tatutory provisions. Tr. Hearing App., 34, 51; infra. 74-202, duty reasons appearing action enforce duty. Since ever ordered justified willful order. supra. Darrell, included son several married. testified Darrell's visits unhealthy effects children. continue visit adopted, divesting acquire, rights. 74-414. addressed itself statutes thus, purposes accepted construction allowing 8, Subsequent Legislature enacted comprehensive revision laws, became effective January 1, 1977 Laws 201. gives subsequent petitio concerning 74-406 (1977 Supp.). leaves intact carries forward substance greater actually last paragraph brief, raises gender-based distinctions violate jurisdictional statement, consider it. Rule 15(1)(c); see, Phillips Chem. Co. Dumas School Dist., 361 376, 386, 80 474, 480, 481, 384 (1960). following colloquy counsel appellant: "Q you made effort [prior instant proceedings], eleven him? I didn't kno went through [sic ]." 58.

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