Could Olive Watson's “Daughter” Yet Inherit?

Remember the tricky estate planning case of Olive Watson, granddaughter of Thomas J. Watson, Sr., founder of IBM?

In Maine, one of the few states permitting adult adoptions, Olive had adopted her lesbian lover, Patricia Ann Spado. The couple split up, but after the death of her adoptive grandmother Patricia sought a share of the Watson fortune.

At the urging of two trustees of Watson trusts, a probate court annulled the adoption. Patricia pursued her case to the Maine Supreme Court. Yesterday the Supremes ruled that the adoption stands.