Opinion
2014-12-17
In the Matter of SOLOMON R. (Anonymous). Michael R. (Anonymous), respondent; Usher P. (Anonymous), nonparty-appellant.
Cox Padmore Skolnik & Shakarchy LLP, New York, N.Y. (Noah Potter of counsel), for nonparty-appellant. Thomas Torto, New York, N.Y., for respondent.
Cox Padmore Skolnik & Shakarchy LLP, New York, N.Y. (Noah Potter of counsel), for nonparty-appellant. Thomas Torto, New York, N.Y., for respondent.
MARK C. DILLON, J.P., ROBERT J. MILLER, JOSEPH J. MALTESE, and COLLEEN D. DUFFY, JJ.
In a proceeding pursuant to Mental Hygiene Law article 81, nonparty Usher P. appeals from an order of the Supreme Court, Queens County (Mayersohn, J.), dated October 12, 2012, which, in effect, denied his motion to remove Michael R. as guardian of the person and property of Solomon R. pursuant to Mental Hygiene Law § 81.35, to impose a constructive trust on certain funds of Solomon R. that were transferred to Solomon R.'s family pursuant to an order of the same court (Thomas, J.) dated September 29, 2005, and for a hearing on the issue of the adequacy of the care being provided to Solomon R.
ORDERED that the order dated October 12, 2012, is affirmed, with costs.
The Supreme Court providently exercised its discretion by, in effect, denying that branch of the appellant's motion which was to remove Michael R. as guardian of the person and property of Solomon R. pursuant to Mental Hygiene Law § 81.35 ( seeMental Hygiene Law § 81.35; Matter of Mary Alice C., 56 A.D.3d 467, 867 N.Y.S.2d 138; Matter of Dunsmoor, 24 A.D.3d 1218, 1218–1219, 805 N.Y.S.2d 918; Matter of Arnold O., 226 A.D.2d 866, 869, 640 N.Y.S.2d 355; cf. Matter of Joshua H., 62 A.D.3d 795, 797, 880 N.Y.S.2d 645). The appellant's allegations of misconduct are either conclusory or concern minor deficiencies in the guardian's performance that have not prejudiced Solomon R.'s interests and do not warrant his removal as guardian ( see Matter of Perl [Evans], 77 A.D.3d 525, 910 N.Y.S.2d 52; Matter of Mary Alice C., 56 A.D.3d at 468, 867 N.Y.S.2d 138; Matter of Arnold O., 226 A.D.2d at 869, 640 N.Y.S.2d 355).
The Supreme Court also, in effect, properly denied that branch of the appellant's motion which was to impose a constructive trust on certain funds of Solomon R. that were transferred to Solomon R.'s family pursuant to an order of the same court dated September 29, 2005. The appellant failed to offer sufficient evidence to satisfy the elements generally needed for the imposition of a constructive trust ( see Tyree v. Henn, 109 A.D.3d 906, 971 N.Y.S.2d 319), or to demonstrate that a constructive trust is necessary in this case to satisfy the demands of justice ( see Latham v. Father Divine, 299 N.Y. 22, 85 N.E.2d 168).
The parties' remaining contentions either are without merit or need not be reached in light of our determination.