The Texas Court of Appeals has affirmed a jury's decision in a will contest case involving Jack Madison Maniscalco, Jr. and the Womack brothers, Darren and Richard. The case centers on whether Maniscalco was equitably adopted by his former stepfather, Huland Eugene Womack, and thus entitled to inherit from his estate. This ruling could have significant implications for heirs and estate claims in Texas.

The case, Jack Madison Maniscalco, Jr. v. Darren Womack and Richard Womack (Docket No. 01-23-00419-CV), was filed in the Texas Court of Appeals on October 27, 2026. The dispute arose after the death of Gene Womack in March 2020. Maniscalco, who claims he was adopted by estoppel by Gene, argued that he should be considered an heir to Gene’s estate. However, the jury found otherwise, leading to the appeal.

Jack Maniscalco is the appellant in this case, while Darren and Richard Womack are the appellees. The dispute began when Gene Womack's estate was being probated, and Jack filed an application to probate Gene's will, asserting that he was Gene's legally adopted son. The Womack brothers contested this claim, stating that Gene had not formally adopted Jack. The case went to trial, where a jury heard testimonies from multiple witnesses, including family members and friends.

During the four-day trial, the jury found that Gene did not adopt Jack by estoppel before Jack turned eighteen. The jury also concluded that both Jack and the Womack brothers acted in good faith in pursuing their claims, which resulted in an award of attorneys' fees. The trial court ultimately ruled in favor of the Womack brothers, affirming that Jack was not entitled to inherit from Gene's estate.

The court ruled, "The jury found that Gene had not adopted Jack by estoppel prior to Jack’s eighteenth birthday." The judges involved in this decision were not specified in the opinion. The ruling also stated that Jack would have to pay for sixty percent of the clerk's record costs associated with the appeal.

This ruling has significant implications for future cases involving claims of equitable adoption in Texas. It reinforces the requirement for formal adoption processes and clarifies the legal standing of individuals claiming inheritance based on informal or verbal agreements. The decision could affect not only heirs in similar situations but also how estates are managed and contested in the future.

Looking ahead, it is unclear whether Jack Maniscalco plans to appeal this decision further. The court filing did not provide information on any pending related cases. However, the ruling sets a precedent that may influence future disputes regarding equitable adoption and inheritance rights in Texas.