joan and peter stanley had lived together off and on for 18 years; they had three children together. when joan stanley died, the state held a dependency proceeding, declared the three minor children to be wards of the state, and placed them with court appointed guardians. peter stanley appealed the decision, as the state had never provided him a hearing to determine whether he was a fit parent, which would have occurred for a married father under similar circumstances. mr. stanley claimed that his lack of hearing violated (1) his fourteenth amendment right of equal protection and (2) due process.