In re the Estate of Van Patten

190 A.D.2d 322, 597 N.Y.S.2d 831, 1993 N.Y. App. Div. LEXIS 5126
CourtAppellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York
DecidedMay 20, 1993
StatusPublished
Cited by8 cases

This text of 190 A.D.2d 322 (In re the Estate of Van Patten) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
In re the Estate of Van Patten, 190 A.D.2d 322, 597 N.Y.S.2d 831, 1993 N.Y. App. Div. LEXIS 5126 (N.Y. Ct. App. 1993).

Opinion

OPINION OF THE COURT

Casey, J.

Robert Van Patten (hereinafter decedent) died in February 1990 and his will was presented for probate in March 1990 by the preliminary coexecutors of his estate, respondents Victor Vrigian and Robert Van Patten, Jr. (hereinafter Van Patten), who is decedent’s son. Petitioners, who are also decedent’s children and legatees under the will, requested that the coexecutors provide information about certain bearer bonds purchased by decedent during the last few years of his life. The coexecutors responded by explaining that the bonds had [325]*325been the subject of an inter vivos gift to Van Patten and respondent Latricia J. Roschinsky, who is decedent’s daughter.

Petitioners thereafter commenced this proceeding, which they labeled as a proceeding to disclose assets of the estate pursuant to SCPA 2102 and to deliver specific assets pursuant to SCPA 2103. In particular, petitioners sought to examine Van Patten, Roschinsky, Robert Doran, a close friend of decedent who assisted him by keeping track of the bonds, and Peter Smith, the broker who sold the bonds to decedent. Petitioners also sought to compel Van Patten and Roschinsky to deliver the bonds to the estate. After an answer was submitted on behalf of the coexecutors and Van Patten submitted a separate answer, Surrogate’s Court ordered that an inquiry be held pursuant to SCPA 2103 and directed that Van Patten, Roschinsky, Doran and Smith appear for examination. Joan Van Patten (hereinafter the intervenor), decedent’s widow, thereafter moved to intervene and participate in the questioning at the inquiry. The motion was apparently granted. Van Patten moved to dismiss the petition and that motion was apparently denied.

Pursuant to petitioners’ request, the four persons were examined regarding their knowledge about the bearer bonds purchased by decedent. At the conclusion of the examination, Surrogate’s Court determined that no genuine issue of fact had been raised concerning the ownership of the bonds and that the estate was not entitled to the bonds. After an order was entered in accordance with this determination, petitioners’ motion for renewal was denied. Petitioners and the intervenor appeal from the order which, inter alia, determined that the bonds were not assets of the estate and also from the order that denied the renewal motion. Van Patten filed a notice of cross appeal seeking to appeal from several orders, but his brief does not address that appeal and, therefore, we deem it abandoned.

Petitioners

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Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
190 A.D.2d 322, 597 N.Y.S.2d 831, 1993 N.Y. App. Div. LEXIS 5126, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/in-re-the-estate-of-van-patten-nyappdiv-1993.