In the Matter of the Estate of Harper Marie Provenza, Deceased: Cody W. Gibson and Benjamin L. Provenza v. Donna…

Summary

The Mississippi Supreme Court affirmed the chancery court's determination that Benjamin could not serve as Harper's wrongful-death beneficiary. The court held that the Texas termination order was entitled to full faith and credit, did not require Mississippi enrollment, and could not be collaterally attacked on jurisdictional grounds under Texas law. Because Benjamin voluntarily relinquished all parental rights, including inheritance rights and related legal rights, he could not use Mississippi law to reestablish beneficiary status after Harper's death.