Reed

Reed v. Reed 1971

When Sally and Cecil Reed's adopted son died both parents wanted a part of his estate, but since they were separated only one parent could receive it. However, according to the Idaho Probate Code males must be preferred to females in appointing administers to estates. Because of this, Cecil received the estate and not Sally. Sally then challenged this in court.

This case questions whether the Idaho Probate Code violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

The Supreme Court ruled 7-0 that the Idaho Probate Code gave dissimilar treatment to males and females and was unconstitutional. Under the Equal Protection Clause, the decision of which parent should receive the estate forbids the official to give the male all provisions solely based on his gender.