Mrs. Jessie Cubley v. Mrs. J. H. Barbee

Summary

The court held that the evidence established a valid statutory adoption notwithstanding the missing adoption deed and its apparent failure to be recorded. It further held that the adoptive mother's representations and conduct, together with the child's performance of the filial relationship, estopped her heirs from challenging the adoption or its recording. Jessie Cubley was therefore entitled to inherit one-fourth of the estate, rather than the one-half stated in the missing instrument.