Opinion
13618, 32A/10
11-25-2014
In re Ann LORENZETTI for a Compulsory Accounting and Related Relief in the Estate of Jean Kennedy, etc, Deceased. Ann Lorenzetti, Petitioner–Appellant, v. Shelly Sherry, Respondent–Respondent.
Scalise & Hamilton, LLP, Scarsdale (Catherine A. Sheridan of counsel), for appellant.
Scalise & Hamilton, LLP, Scarsdale (Catherine A. Sheridan of counsel), for appellant.
Opinion Appeal from order, Surrogate's Court, New York County (Nora Anderson, S.), entered on or about June 12, 2013, which dismissed the petition to compel an accounting by respondent executor, unanimously dismissed, without costs, as moot.
Shortly after this appeal was perfected, the executor elected to petition the Surrogate's Court to obtain a formal judicial settlement of the estate and trust account under SCPA 2208.Were we to consider the merits, we would find that the Surrogate properly extended sua sponte the executor's time to answer the petition (see generally Shure v. Village of Westhampton Beach, 121 A.D.2d 887, 503 N.Y.S.2d 802 [1st Dept.1986] ). The elderly executor was hospitalized and subsequently underwent rehabilitation for a broken hip and elbow in or about the time the answer was due. Further, during the relevant time period, the parties attempted to resolve their disputes during court conferences with an intent to avoid additional legal expense for the estate and trust. To the extent law office failure accounted for the delay in serving an answer, that is an additional basis for finding the executor's excuse reasonable (see Shure, 121 A.D.2d at 888, 503 N.Y.S.2d 802 ; Interboro Ins. Co. v. Perez, 112 A.D.3d 483, 976 N.Y.S.2d 378 [1st Dept. 2013] ).
We would find further that the Surrogate properly determined at the time that it was in the best interests of the estate and trust to deny the petition to compel an accounting (see generally Matter of Taber, 96 A.D.2d 890, 466 N.Y.S.2d 50 [2d Dept.1983] ). Petitioner argued only generally that the as yet unsubstantiated administration expenses appeared high and potentially threatened her interest in the estate and trust, and she failed to show that she was precluded from obtaining the executor's administrative records. Moreover, there is evidence to support a finding that petitioner has no interest in the estate and trust.
FRIEDMAN, J.P., RENWICK, MOSKOWITZ, RICHTER, MANZANET–DANIELS, JJ., concur.