Court Opinion

ID: 9850460
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-24 04:57:44.483289+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:20:37.538532
License: Public Domain

WUEST, Chief Justice
(dissenting).
I would reverse. It offends my sense of justice that an illegitimate child cannot inherit from his father unless he is acknowledged by the father as provided by SDCL 29-1-15 or SDCL 25-6-1. Therefore, I would hold that SDCL 29-1-15 is unconstitutional as it relates to appellant or those persons similarly situated. In determining the constitutionality of a statute which discriminates on the basis of illegitimacy, we must ascertain whether the statutory classification bears some rational relationship to a legitimate state purpose. Weber v. Aetna Casualty & Surety Co., 406 U.S. 164, 172, 92 S.Ct. 1400, 1405, 31 L.Ed.2d 768, 777 (1972); Trimble v. Gordon, 430 U.S. 762, 766, 97 S.Ct. 1459, 1463, 52 L.Ed.2d 31, 37 (1977). Furthermore, we must ascertain whether the statute in question is “carefully tuned to alternative considerations.” Trimble, supra, 430 U.S. at 772, 97 S.Ct. at 1466, 52 L.Ed.2d at 40. Having reviewed this matter fully, I believe the statute at issue is not carefully tuned to alternative considerations and does not bear a rational relationship to a legitimate state interest.
Essentially, SDCL 29-1-15 provides an illegitimate child may be considered an heir of an alleged father only if the alleged father “in writing, signed in the presence of a competent witness, acknowledges himself to be the father of such child.” The Florida Supreme Court reviewed a statute very similar to SDCL 29-1-15 in the case of *872In Re Estate of Burris, 361 So.2d 152 (Fla.1978). This Florida statute provided: “Every illegitimate child is an heir of his mother, and also a person who, in writing, signed in the presence of a competent witness, acknowledges himself to be the father.” See, Fla.Stat. § 731.29(1) (1973); See also, Burris, supra, at 153. While recognizing the state’s interest in the orderly descent of property, the Florida Supreme Court held their statute was unconstitutional under the state and federal constitutions. The Court held the state’s interest in the orderly descent of property could be preserved merely by “imposing a higher degree of proof for paternity than is necessary when a determination of maternity is involved.” Id. at 155.
In sum, the Florida Supreme Court recognized the Florida statute unfairly discriminated against illegitimate children. It further recognized the state’s interest in the orderly descent of property could be easily preserved by imposing a higher degree of proof for paternity than that which is used for maternity actions. As a result, the Court determined the Florida statute was not rationally related to legitimate state interests and thus was unconstitutional. Subsequent to the Burris decision, a Florida Appellate Court held a person seeking to establish paternity must do so by clear and convincing evidence. In Re Estate of Odom, 397 So.2d 420, 425 (Fla.App.1981). Thus, for several years it has been the law in Florida that an illegitimate child may inherit from an alleged father simply by presenting clear and convincing evidence that the person whom he seeks to inherit from is his natural father.1
In this case I would apply the reasoning of the Burris court. Other jurisdictions maintain a rule that paternity may be proved by an illegitimate child by clear and convincing evidence. See Odom, supra; Weber v. Anderson, 269 N.W.2d 892, 895 (Minn.1978); C.L.W. v. M.J., 254 N.W.2d 446, 450 (N.D.1977). In fact, § 2-109 of the Uniform Probate Code says an illegitimate child should be allowed to prove paternity by the presentation of clear and convincing evidence in a formal action. In light of these facts, I find it extremely difficult to believe a state’s interest in the orderly descent of property would not be preserved were this Court to hold paternity may be established by clear and convincing evidence.
Finally, I do not believe that SDCL 29-1-15 is “carefully tuned to alternative considerations.” Trimble, supra. In People v. Wesley, 140 Misc.2d 306, 533 N.Y.S.2d 643 (Co.Ct.1988) a New York County Court thoroughly discussed the process of DNA testing and concluded such tests are reliable. In Alexander v. Alexander, 42 Ohio Misc.2d 30, 537 N.E.2d 1310 (1988), an Ohio Court held a child born out of wedlock could prove his paternity by genetic testing and the probate court could permit disinterment of the putative father to effect such a test. The Alexander court stated:
As evidenced by the recent United States Supreme Court decisions, as well as the Ohio Supreme Court decision in White v. Randolph [59 Ohio St.2d 6], 391 N.E.2d 333 (1979) the bottom line to denying an illegitimate child equal inheritance rights is that there is a substantial problem of proof of paternity, especially after the alleged father is dead. Today, however, we are entering into a new area. Science has developed a means to irrefutably prove the identity of an illegitimate child’s father. No longer are we dependent upon fallible testimony, nor are we concerned that the decedent cannot be present to defend himself. The accuracy and infallibility of the DNA test are nothing short of remarkable. We live in a modern and scientific society, and the law must keep pace with these developments.
Id. 537 N.E.2d at 1314.
In conclusion it is my opinion the appellant should be permitted to maintain this action but must prove paternity by clear and convincing evidence with DNA testing if available, or any other relevant evidence.

. Prior to the rendition of a final judgment in Burris, the Florida legislature amended Fla.Stat. § 731.29(1) to allow illegitimate children to prove paternity by an adjudication.