Court Opinion

ID: 9722005
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 09:14:27.550093+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:24:30.017148
License: Public Domain

KINGSLEY, J.
I concur. I agree with the analysis of the applicable statutes and cases set forth in Justice Files’ opinion. What that opinion orders is entirely consistent with Justice Jefferson’s concern for the parent-child relationship between this father and the child. The trial court is directed (as it has not yet done) to consider, whether it will be adverse to the best interests of the child to give custody to the father. If it *316so concludes, it may then proceed with the adoption. If, however, it should conclude that custody in the father would not be adverse to the best interests of the child, it may award custody to the father and deny the petition for adoption. But to foreclose any inquiry into the respective claims of the biological father and the would-be adopters, by making the biological father a “presumed” father merely because of the biological father’s act of causing conception is contrary to all of the public policy of this state.