In Re the Estate of R.M.
2011 Mo. App. LEXIS 1393
| Mo. Ct. App. | 2011Background
- Minor born May 9, 2006; Respondent adopted Minor on July 10, 2007 in St. Louis County, creating custody rights.
- Appellant P.M. filed May 6, 2010 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus seeking custody as the Minor's next living biological relative under the probate code.
- Jefferson County Circuit Court issued a writ of habeas corpus directing Respondent to produce Minor on May 17, 2010; probate court appointed a guardian ad litem and ordered a home study, scheduling merits hearing for May 17, 2010.
- Respondent claimed lawful custody by virtue of the July 10, 2007 Judgment and Decree of Adoption; probate court vacated the writ on October 5, 2010 for lack of a legal right to custody by Appellant.
- Appellant appealed the probate court’s vacuum of the writ; issue concerned whether habeas corpus may collaterally attack a custody judgment that is void ab initio.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whether habeas corpus can collaterally attack a custody judgment void ab initio | P.M. argues habeas corpus may attack void custody judgments. | Respondent asserts there is a valid prior custody order and thus appeal under 512.025 is unavailable. | Appeal dismissed; no jurisdiction to review due to prior custody order. |
Key Cases Cited
- State ex rel. Nixon v. Jaynes, 63 S.W.3d 210 (Mo.banc 2001) (habeas scope limited to legality of confinement or custody)
- Anderson v. Jackson, 181 S.W.3d 172 (Mo.App. S.D.2005) (appeal from habeas corpus denial generally not allowed)
- Mabry v. Farm Bureau Town & Country Ins. Co. of Missouri, 933 S.W.2d 854 (Mo.App. E.D.1996) (adoption creates custody relationships comparable to natural parent)
- Niehaus v. Madden, 348 Mo. 770, 155 S.W.2d 141 (Div.1, 1941) (custody inherent in adoption proceedings)
- State ex rel. M.L.H. v. Carroll, 343 S.W.2d 622 (Mo.App.1961) (custody matters rooted in adoption context)