Hearsay Evidence Can Be Considered in Opposition to Summary Judgment Motion As Long As It Is Not the Only Evidence​

In affirming the denial of defendant’s summary judgment motion where plaintiffs’ complaint alleged defendant coerced decedent into executing estate planning documents, the First Department noted that hearsay evidence may be considered as long as it is not the only evidence offered:

While defendant correctly asserts that plaintiffs submitted certain hearsay evidence in opposition to the summary judgment motion, including certain physician and attorney notes, such hearsay evidence may be considered when submitted in opposition to a summary judgment motion, so long as it is not the only proof submitted …. Here, nonhearsay evidence, including affidavits from the decedent’s friends as well as the decedent’s first daughter, described the contentious nature of the marriage and the decedent’s declining mental health. Moreover, the decedent, who was 83 years old and undisputedly suffered from some degree of cognitive impairment when he signed the documents, initiated this lawsuit during his lifetime and attested, by his verified complaint, to his declining health and defendant’s abusive and coercive conduct.  Plaintiffs further rely on a nonhearsay affidavit from a forensic document examiner that concluded that the decedent’s signature was forged on the retainer letter, possibly by defendant, as additional evidence that defendant coerced the decedent into retaining counsel to execute these documents and did not want the decedent to have separate counsel in the event of any conflict. All of this raises triable issues of fact whether defendant wielded sufficient influence over the decedent to overcome his free will …. Bishop v Maurer, 2013 NY Slip Op 03771, 1st Dept, 5-28-13