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Florida- from www.opposingviews.com – 48-year-old Florida businessman John Goodman has legally adopted his 42-year-old girlfriend Heather Hutchins as his “daughter” in what some are calling an attempt to shield Goodman’s money from a wrongful death civil suit.

The unusual legal move was exposed in court documents regarding the wrongful death civil suit of 23-year-old Scott Patrick Wilson.

According to Palm Beach County Sheriff’s reports, Goodman ran a stop sign and fatally hit Wilson in February 2010. A civil trial date has been set for March 27, 2012.

Circuit Court Judge Glenn Kelley previously ruled that a trust established for Goodman’s two minor children could not be considered as part of his financial worth if a jury awarded damages to Wilson’s family.

Goodman, who reportedly had a blood-alcohol level of more than twice the legal limit, hours after the crash, also faces a criminal trial.

He is due to appear in court on March 6 on charges of DUI manslaughter, vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of a crash. He faces up to 30 years if convicted.