WELLINGTON, F.L.--A 48-year-old Florida man legally adopted his 42-year-old girlfriend as his daughter in an attempt to shield assets in a wrongful death civil suit.

Businessman John Goodman, who found the International Polo Club Beach in Wellington, legally adopted Heather Hutchins on Oct. 13 in Miami-Dade County, reports FOX News .

A judge had 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 the Wilsons.

By adopting his girlfriend, Goodman has effectively taken over one third of his trust assets; however, it remains unclear whether Hutchins will in fact be recognized as a legitimate beneficiary under the children’s trust.

The unusual legal move was exposed in court documents pertaining to a wrongful death civil suit in connection to a February 2010 crash that killed 23-year-old Scott Patrick Wilson.

Goodman allegedly ran a stop sign and fatally struck Wilson.

A civil trial date has been set for March 27.

Goodman whose blood alcohol level was reportedly twice the legal limit is also facing criminal charges relating to the fatal crash. He is due to appear 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.