Stackpole v. Scott

9 Misc. 2d 922, 168 N.Y.S.2d 495, 1957 N.Y. Misc. LEXIS 2124
CourtCity of New York Municipal Court
DecidedNovember 25, 1957
StatusPublished
Cited by17 cases

This text of 9 Misc. 2d 922 (Stackpole v. Scott) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering City of New York Municipal Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Stackpole v. Scott, 9 Misc. 2d 922, 168 N.Y.S.2d 495, 1957 N.Y. Misc. LEXIS 2124 (N.Y. Super. Ct. 1957).

Opinion

Abraham R. Margulies, J.

This is an application for an ordér pursuant to rule 293 of the Rules of Civil Practice authorizing the withdrawal from Jamaica Savings Bank, formerly the Rock-away Savings Bank, of funds of the infant deposited therein pursuant to section 980-a of the Civil Practice Act to pay the petitioner, Joseph W. Stackpole, the father of the infant Peter Stackpole, out of the moneys on deposit to the credit of said infant, the sum of $350 to he used and expended for the purpose of paying for the first year’s tuition of the said infant for his education in a religious high school, and to pay the sum of $50 to the attorney who prepared the moving papers.

By an order entered on the 23rd day of May, 1955 there was deposited in the Rockaway Savings Bank to the credit of said infant the sum of $845. There is now on deposit in said account the sum of $890.21, which includes interest accrued to date.

The infant, Peter Stackpole, resides with the petitioner together with the other members of petitioner’s family, consisting of his wife, a daughter age 17 years, a daughter age 13 years, and the infant who is 14 years old. The petitioner resides in a four-room apartment for which he is paying a monthly rent of $100, including utilities. Petitioner’s take-home pay is $95.83 per week. His wife is employed as a typist for which she receives $35 per week.

Petitioner states that he is desirous of giving the infant a religious education and suggests that tuition and books be paid for out of the infant’s fund. The petitioner cannot pay because he states that he had to borrow money at some prior time which he is paying off at the rate of $85 per month and on which there is still a balance due of approximately $2,000. There is nothing in the petition to show when and for what the money was borrowed and for what purpose it was used. But he states that he must now meet a payment of the first year’s tuition for the infant Peter Stackpole, which he is financially unable to meet. There is no explanation of why the infant was enrolled without assurance of funds.

The infant Peter Stackpole likewise signed an affidavit that he is desirous of obtaining the education referred to in a religious high school and joins in the request for withdrawal of his funds for that purpose, and in addition to pay counsel.

The purpose for which the request is being"made is an excellent one. The court commends a parent who desires that his youngster obtain a religious education. There is more to human life than eating and drinking, getting clothes to wear, having a [924]*924place to live where the elements can not come in. The life of the human spirit is ever so much more. Young people of all religions should learn about the history of the holy days, the meaning behind the prayers and ceremonies, and to develop a close understanding of their faith.

However, in determining the merits of this application to withdraw the infant’s funds the court must find whether or not the same is permissive. Rule 293 of the Buies of Civil Practice permits the application of infant’s property, or any portion thereof, to the infant’s support, maintenance or education which has been deposited pursuant to section 980-a of the Civil Practice Act.

This is one of the. many applications to withdraw infant’s funds for reasons not permitted. They are so frequent as to require comment from this court especially in light of a recent opinion from a learned Judge serving in another court. Also because of some common defects found in the moving papers, the form of the petition will be discussed.

The cases cited below will show both what is necessary on applications to withdraw infant’s funds and the instances where such withdrawals are permitted. (De Marco v. Seaman, 157 Misc. 390; Matter of Groom, 203 Misc. 574; Gaffney v. Constantine, 87 N. Y. S. 2d 131.)

The citations above briefly point out :

1. The court will not allow withdrawals from the fund for necessaries during the minority, for the reasons that it is the obligation of the parent or relief authorities to provide them. Funds for food and clothing come within the scope of this prohibition.
“ 2. ‘ Upon clear proof ’ that the parent has not the means, the court will allow withdrawals from the fund under the following circumstances:
“ (a) Where the withdrawals will serve to place the crippled infant on a footing more clearly equal with those of sound bodies. A college education may be allowed for hereunder.
“ (b) Where the withdrawals Avould prevent further handicap to the infant. Unusual surgical or medical care, eye and dental treatment may be allowed for hereunder.
(e) Where the withdrawals will serve to enable the infant to obtain treatment demanded by the child’s condition, resulting directly from the accident. Camp and country sojourns may, in extreme cases, be allowed for hereunder.”

[925]*925 The petition should contain the following:

(1) Full explanation of the reason for the withdrawal.
(2) Several sworn statements by qualified persons of the estimated costs of the proposed expenditures in dollars and cents and not in round figures, such as sworn statements of the doctor or dentist and the fact that in the opinion of the party making the affidavit, that the work to be done is necessary. The check or checks for money to be withdrawn or expended should be made payable to the dentist or the doctor, or other person, as allowed by the court order and not to the father or guardian.
(3) Infant’s age.
(4) Date when and amounts recovered, respectively, by the infant and parent.
(5) Amount on hand and earned income.
(6) Recital of previous withdrawals and reasons.
(7) Financial circumstances of infant’s family.
(8) Statement that expenditure cannot be afforded by the family. Must be upon clear proof.
(9) Nature of the infant’s injury and present state of health.
(10) Any other facts material to the application.

The damages granted to the infant in this case were to compensate him for the pain suffered and injuries received and is for the infant’s special benefit. They were required by law to be deposited in the bank subject to the order of the court until delivery to him on the attainment of his majority. It is the duty of the court to protect these funds. It should be scrupulously discharged. •

It is the parents’ obligation to support this infant and his other children and money should not be withdrawn from the fund even for the infant’s necessaries. The only purpose for which this money may be used is that it may not do violence to the reason for which the fund was created. We must ever remind ourselves that the money on deposit is the infant’s property and the court has full control of the money allotted to the infant which is held subject to the order of the court until the infant attains his majority when it should be delivered to him.

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Bluebook (online)
9 Misc. 2d 922, 168 N.Y.S.2d 495, 1957 N.Y. Misc. LEXIS 2124, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/stackpole-v-scott-nynyccityct-1957.