John Goodman is a Houston native. He legally adopted 42-year-old Heather Hutchins in October. The adoption will give her access to a third of a trust fund worth several hundred million dollars. The fund was originally set up to benefit Goodman's teenage son and daughter.
The fund's trustee is challenging the adoption. Goodman is facing a criminal trial and a civil suit for a deadly drunk driving crash. Legal analysts believe the adoption is a way of protecting assets from the lawsuit.
A probate court judge will have the final say on the adoption's legality.
