{ "id": 1365308, "name": "Tiny Standoak BABB, Gregory Franks, Shilena Easter, Michael Easter, Felisha Easter, Frederick Easter, and Daryl Standoak v. Leanna MATLOCK and Curtis Standoak", "name_abbreviation": "Babb v. Matlock", "decision_date": "2000-02-03", "docket_number": "99-127", "first_page": "263", "last_page": "269", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "340 Ark. 263" }, { "type": "parallel", "cite": "9 S.W.3d 508" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "Ark.", "id": 8808, "name": "Arkansas Supreme Court" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 34, "name_long": "Arkansas", "name": "Ark." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "285 Ark. 113", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 1877637 ], "weight": 4, "year": 1985, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/285/0113-01" ] }, { "cite": "239 Ark. 783", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 1730603 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1965, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/239/0783-01" ] }, { "cite": "304 Ark. 364", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 1880856 ], "weight": 3, "year": 1991, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "372", "parenthetical": "quoting Black's Law Dictionary 708 (5th ed. 1979)" }, { "page": "500", "parenthetical": "quoting Black's Law Dictionary 708 (5th ed. 1979)" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/304/0364-01" ] }, { "cite": "335 Ark. 272", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 862797 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1998, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "279" }, { "page": "4" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/335/0272-01" ] }, { "cite": "241 Ark. 533", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 1724150 ], "weight": 3, "year": 1966, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/241/0533-01" ] }, { "cite": "288 Ark. 304", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 8719955 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1986, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/288/0304-01" ] }, { "cite": "332 Ark. 482", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 377550 ], "weight": 3, "year": 1998, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/332/0482-01" ] }, { "cite": "337 Ark. 591", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 1240933 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1999, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/337/0591-01" ] }, { "cite": "Ark. Code Ann. \u00a7 16-62-102", "category": "laws:leg_statute", "reporter": "Ark. Code Ann.", "year": 1999, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "(d)" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "Ark. Code Ann. \u00a7 16-62-102", "category": "laws:leg_statute", "reporter": "Ark. Code Ann.", "year": 1999, "opinion_index": 1 } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 592, "char_count": 11656, "ocr_confidence": 0.751, "pagerank": { "raw": 2.284826814499547e-07, "percentile": 0.7855766880617364 }, "sha256": "0d3adadb5d3f1a6cc765b66cfe85c8abf6a04f3922ccb206b465c401cc16c30f", "simhash": "1:a346e0294264ff08", "word_count": 1886 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T17:52:11.293742+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [ "BROWN and ImbER, JJ., concur.", "Arnold, C.J., and Thornton, J., dissent.", "BROWN, J., joins in this concurrence.", "Thornton, J., joins." ], "parties": [ "Tiny Standoak BABB, Gregory Franks, Shilena Easter, Michael Easter, Felisha Easter, Frederick Easter, and Daryl Standoak v. Leanna MATLOCK and Curtis Standoak" ], "opinions": [ { "text": "Donald L. Corbin, Justice.\nThis is a wrongful-death case in which we are asked to interpret the term \u201cbeneficiaries,\u201d as provided in Ark. Code Ann. \u00a7 16-62-102(d) (Supp. 1999). Appellants Tiny Standoak Babb, Gregory Franks, Shilena Easter, Michael Easter, Felisha Easter, Frederick Easter, and Daryl Standoak are the grandchildren of Allean Standoak, who died on March 29, 1997. Allean had four children: Appellee Leanna Mat-lock, Appellee Curtis Standoak, Theadoris Standoak, and Shirley Standoak. Appellants are the children of Theadoris Standoak and Shirley Standoak, both of whom predeceased Allean. In December 1997, Appellee Leanna Matlock was appointed special administratrix of Allean\u2019s estate for the purpose of bringing a wrongful-death suit. In August 1998, the Garland County Probate Court entered an order of settlement in the wrongful-death action. The order reflected that after payment of attorney\u2019s fees and satisfaction of liens held by Medicare and Medicaid, the remainder of the settlement was divided between Appellees, the two surviving children. Appellants subsequently filed a motion to intervene in the wrongful-death action, claiming that they were Allean\u2019s heirs at law and thus beneficiaries of the settlement. The probate judge denied intervention, and this appeal followed. Our jurisdiction of this case is pursuant to Ark. Sup. Ct. R. 1 \u2014 2(b)(1), as it involves issues of first impression. We affirm.\nWe review probate proceedings de novo, and we will not reverse the decision of the probate court unless it is clearly erroneous. Buchte v. State, 337 Ark. 591, 990 S.W.2d 539 (1999); Barrera v. Vanpelt, 332 Ark. 482, 965 S.W.2d 780 (1998). When reviewing the proceedings, we give due regard to the opportunity and superior position of the probate judge to determine the credibility of the witnesses. Id. The questions presented by this appeal are: (1) whether the definition of \u201cchildren\u201d as used in section 16-62-102(d) should be interpreted broadly so as to include the descendants of those children of the deceased who predeceased the deceased; and (2) whether the relationship of in loco parentis continues past the age of majority for purposes of claiming as a beneficiary to a wrongful-death suit. We conclude that the answer to both questions is \u201cNo.\u201d\nThere was no cause of action for wrongful death at common law. Simmons First Nat\u2019l Bank v. Abbott, 288 Ark. 304, 705 S.W.2d 3 (1986); McGinty v. Ballentine Produce, Inc., 241 Ark. 533, 408 S.W.2d 891 (1966). Thus, because the action is a statutory creation and is in derogation of or at variance with the common law, we construe the wrongful-death statute strictly. Id. Strict construction necessarily \u201crequires that nothing be taken as intended that is not clearly expressed.\u201d Lawhon Farm Servs. v. Brown, 335 Ark. 272, 279, 984 S.W.2d 1, 4 (1998). Given that narrow standard, we must reject Appellants\u2019 first argument, that we should broadly construe the class of statutory beneficiaries to include persons not specifically named.\nSection 16-62-102(d) provides:\nThe beneficiaries of the action created in this section are the surviving spouse, children, father and mother, brothers and sisters of the deceased person, persons standing in loco parentis to the deceased person, and persons to whom the deceased stood in loco parentis.\nClearly, grandchildren of the deceased person are not included in the group of statutory beneficiaries. It is equally clear that the term \u201cchildren\u201d means living children, as the entire group of beneficiaries is qualified by the term \u201csurviving.\u201d Thus, children who are not living at the time of the deceased person\u2019s death are not among the statutory beneficiaries, and, correspondingly, neither are the deceased children\u2019s heirs at law. Accordingly, we reject Appellants\u2019 assertion that they are beneficiaries to the wrongful-death settlement.\nWe also reject the claim raised by Appellants Tiny Standoak Babb and Gregory Franks that they are beneficiaries because they are persons to whom the deceased stood in loco parentis. Their claim is based on the fact that Allean raised them after each of their mothers had died. Appellees argue that this fact is of no consequence to the wrongful-death action, because both Babb and Franks were over the age of eighteen and were not disabled at the time of Allean\u2019s death. Thus, Appellees assert that the relationship of in loco parentis terminates at the time the children reach the age of majority, unless they are disabled. The probate court agreed with Appellees.\nBabb and Franks do not dispute that they were both adults at the time of Allean\u2019s death and that neither one of them suffers from any disability. They maintain, however, that the loss they suffered as a result of Allean\u2019s wrongful death is not lessened by the fact that Allean was no longer supporting them, financially or otherwise, at the time of her death. In this respect, they contend that their legal position is no different from that of Appellees, who were also adults at the time of Allean\u2019s death. We disagree.\nThis court has defined the term \u201cin loco parentis\u201d as \u201cin place of a parent; instead of a parent; charged factitiously with a parent\u2019s rights, duties, and responsibilities.\u201d Standridge v. Standridge, 304 Ark. 364, 372, 803 S.W.2d 496, 500 (1991) (quoting Black\u2019s Law Dictionary 708 (5th ed. 1979)). One who stands in loco parentis to a child puts himself or herself \u201cin the situation of a lawful parent by assuming the obligations incident to the parental relation without going through the formalities necessary to a legal adoption.\u201d 59 Am. Jur.2d Parent and Child \u00a7 75, at 217 (1987) (footnote omitted). The relationship may be abrogated at will by either the person assuming the parental duties or the child. Id. Thus, the relationship is a temporary one, unlike that of adoption. Bryant v. Thrower, 239 Ark. 783, 394 S.W.2d 488 (1965). The question then is when does the relationship end, provided that it is not voluntarily abrogated by either party.\nAlthough this court has not specifically addressed this issue, the general rule appears to be that the relationship of in loco parentis ends when the child reaches the age of majority and is not disabled. See 67A C.J.S. Parent & Child \u00a7 154, at 551 (1978) (footnote omitted) (providing that \u201c[o]rdinarily, a person cannot stand in loco parentis to an adult who is not mentally or physically incapacitated from providing for himself\u2019). This is consistent with the general rule that a parent is legally obligated to support his or her child at least until the time the child reaches majority. See Towery v. Towery, 285 Ark. 113, 685 S.W.2d 155 (1985). Once a child reaches majority and is physically and mentally capable, the legal duty of the parent to support that child ceases. Id. Conversely, the duty of support does not cease at majority if the child is mentally or physically disabled and needs support. Id.\nHere, there is no evidence that Babb or Franks, both of whom were adults and suffered from no disability, were relying on Allean\u2019s support at the time of her death. Thus, they are not beneficiaries under the wrongful-death statute, as Allean did not stand in loco parentis to them at the time of her death. We are aware of the impact that this decision may have on the ever-increasing number of children in this state who are being raised, but not formally adopted, by grandparents and other relatives. Indeed, we may be tempted to sympathize with Appellants\u2019 position that their loss is in no way lessened merely because Allean was no longer contributing to their support. Nevertheless, we believe that any expansion of the right of recovery under the wrongful-death statute lies within the province of the General Assembly, not this court. We thus affirm the probate court\u2019s ruling on this point. Accordingly, because we conclude that all Appellants lacked standing to claim any interest in the settlement procured as a result of Allean\u2019s wrongful death, we summarily affirm the remaining points on appeal.\nBROWN and ImbER, JJ., concur.\nArnold, C.J., and Thornton, J., dissent.", "type": "majority", "author": "Donald L. Corbin, Justice." }, { "text": "ANNABELLE Clinton Imber, Justice,\nconcurring. I agree with the result reached by the majority based upon the plain language of Ark. Code Ann. \u00a7 16-62-102 (Supp. 1999). Section 16-62-102(d) provides for two categories of in loco parentisbeneficiaries: \u201cpersons standing in loco parentis to the deceased person,\u201d and \u201c persons to whom the deceased stood in loco parentis.'\u201d The first category is written in the present tense. Thus, beneficiary status in that category is accorded only to persons who stand in loco parentis to the deceased at the time of death. The statute\u2019s next phrase defining the second category of in loco parentis beneficiaries can be and should be similarly construed to refer only to persons to whom the deceased stood in loco parentis at the time of death. The use of the past tense in the latter phrase merely indicates that a deceased person cannot stand in loco parentis to anyone following his or her death. Both categories of in loco parentis beneficiaries are thereby capable of being construed consistently and harmoniously. Inequities would necessarily result if the statute were construed otherwise, with beneficiary status being limited to an in loco parentis relationship at the time of death as to one in loco parentis category, but not as to the other in loco parentis category.\nFor these reasons, I would affirm the probate court\u2019s ruling based upon the plain language of section 16-62-102(d) and our case law interpreting the term in loco parentis.\nBROWN, J., joins in this concurrence.", "type": "concurrence", "author": "ANNABELLE Clinton Imber, Justice," }, { "text": "WH. \u201cDub\u201d Arnold, Chief Justice,\ndissenting. I disagree with the majority in holding that the relationship of in loco parentis does not continue past the age of majority for purposes of claiming as a beneficiary to a wrongful-death suit. Appellants Tiny Standoak Babb and Gregory Franks were raised by their grandmother, Allean Standoak, after their parents died. \u201cRaise\u201d is defined in the dictionary as: \u201cto give (children) a parent\u2019s fostering care : bring up : NURTURE, REAR.\u201d Webster\u2019s Third New International Dictionary 1877 (1986).\nAppellees argue that the relationship of in loco parentis terminated at the time each of the children reached their majority. The wrongful-death statute sets forth those who are considered as beneficiaries. Section 16-62-102(d) provides:\nThe beneficiaries of the action created in this section are the surviving spouse, children, father and mother, brothers and sisters of the deceased person, persons standing in loco parentis to the deceased person, and persons to whom the deceased stood in loco parentis.\n(Emphasis added.)\nThis Court has not specifically addressed this issue until this case. The majority now holds that the relationship ends when the child for whom the deceased stood in loco parentis reaches the age of majority but not when the natural child reaches the age of majority. The statute makes no distinction as to children, whether natural or those for whom the deceased has stood in loco parentis, regarding whether they are beneficiaries even after reaching the age of majority. Therefore, I fail to see why the majority has made such a distinction. I, therefore, respectfully dissent.\nThornton, J., joins.", "type": "dissent", "author": "WH. \u201cDub\u201d Arnold, Chief Justice," } ], "attorneys": [ "Willie E. Perkins, Jr., for appellants.", "Brent Baber, for appellees." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "Tiny Standoak BABB, Gregory Franks, Shilena Easter, Michael Easter, Felisha Easter, Frederick Easter, and Daryl Standoak v. Leanna MATLOCK and Curtis Standoak\n99-127\n9 S.W.3d 508\nSupreme Court of Arkansas\nOpinion delivered February 3, 2000\n[Petition for rehearing denied March 9, 2000.]\nWillie E. Perkins, Jr., for appellants.\nBrent Baber, for appellees." }, "file_name": "0263-01", "first_page_order": 291, "last_page_order": 297 }