Children Not Entitled to Dead Father’s Benefits, Justices Rule

Children conceived with a dead father’s frozen sperm are not entitled to Social Security benefits if they were not eligible to inherit property from him under state law, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously on Monday.

The case concerned twins born to Karen Capato 18 months after the death of her husband, Robert, in 2002. The Social Security Administration denied the twins survivors’ benefits, a determination the Supreme Court endorsed.

The Capatos lived in Florida, and Mr. Capato’s will was signed there. Under Florida law, a child born after a parent’s death may inherit property from the parent only if conceived during the parent’s lifetime.

Read more at The New York Times.