Court Opinion

ID: 9756816
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-28 22:01:57.81155+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:28:31.177329
License: Public Domain

Jacobs, J.
(concurring). To conform with modern concepts, the Legislature has wisely provided that in the construction of any testamentary or other document (executed on or after January 1, 1954) “an adopted child shall be deemed lawful issue of the adopting parent unless such document shall otherwise provide.” N. J. S. A. 9:3-30. However, as the majority opinion indicates the settled judicial presumption, in Hew Jersey as well as elsewhere throughout the country, has been to the contrary where, as here, the testatrix was a stranger to the adoption; and that has long been the general understanding of the legal profession which presumably has often acted in its light. See 1 Kocher, New Jersey Probate Law 805 (1916); Clapp, 1 Wills and Administration in New Jersey, § 66 (1937); 5 N. J. Practice. (Clapp, Wills and Administration), § 124 (1950); cf. 5 *212American Law of Property, §§ 22.34, 22.36 (1952). In the instant matter the will was executed many years ago and is therefore not affected by the statutory change in the rule of construction. Accordingly, I reluctantly join in the affirmance of the judgment below.