In 1991 a Maine judge approved the adoption of Patricia Spado by her partner, Olive Watson. Both women were in their 40s at the time.CNN: Gay Adoption by IBM Heir Goes to High Court (July 8, 2008)
The couple split in 2005 and, after Thomas Watson Jr., Olive Waston's father and former president of IBM, died, the adoption was challenged by his heirs.CNN: Gay Adoption by IBM Heir Goes to High Court (July 8, 2008)
The adoption was annulled on April 24, 2008, based on a residency technicality. An appeal to Maine's Supreme Judicial Court has been filed.CNN: Gay Adoption by IBM Heir Goes to High Court (July 8, 2008)