Thomas L. Lagios, Appellant v. Kenneth Mitchell Goldman and Deanne Fields Goldman, Appellees

Summary

The court affirmed the adoption decree, holding that alleged deficiencies in the adoption petition, expense affidavit, home-study filing, and notice to the deceased mother's parents did not deprive the circuit court of jurisdiction. It further held that Lagios's consent was not required because he did not satisfy any statutory category requiring paternal consent, that the circuit court acted within its broad discretion by reopening the record, and that the adoption was supported by the child's best interests. Justice Baker concurred separately regarding the unraised constitutional challenge and notice issue, while Justice Hart dissented, asserting that the decision improperly eliminated the known natural father's parental rights without strict statutory compliance or adequate due process.