You are here: / / Suit by Beneficiaries to Recoup Estate Property, Alleging Breach of Fiduciary...
,

Suit by Beneficiaries to Recoup Estate Property, Alleging Breach of Fiduciary Duty by Executor, Allowed to Go Forward

The Third Department determined the beneficiaries of an estate had stated a cause of action to recoup property for an estate (the role of the executor).  The complaint alleged misappropriation of decedent’s assets and included a cause of action against the executor (DiMaggio) for breach of fiduciary duty:

Initially, we note that, absent extraordinary circumstances, beneficiaries of an estate generally do not have a right to bring an action seeking to recoup property for the estate since that role belongs to the executor … . However, such extraordinary circumstances may be implicated where the executor is allegedly directly involved in purported egregious conduct and self-dealing that negatively impacts the potential assets of the estate … . When asserting conduct involving fraud or undue influence, the complaint must set forth in detail the circumstances constituting the wrong (see CPLR 3016 [b]…). .

Plaintiffs’ amended complaint sets forth a series of purported acts by defendants occurring during the last two years of decedent’s life when she was allegedly suffering from cancer and depression. Among other things, defendants allegedly induced decedent to give DiMaggio power of attorney by telling decedent that she would retain control over her accounts, but then used the power of attorney to withdraw funds, modify ownership interest, and change beneficiaries on accounts. Plaintiffs contend that defendants convinced decedent to cash about $360,000 in United States savings bonds by informing her it was illegal to continue to hold the bonds and that the government would take all her money. Most of that money was moved into a trust that defendants allegedly falsely informed decedent would benefit her descendants when proceeds of the trust actually went to defendants and their families. Plaintiffs further assert thatDiMaggio, who was substituted for decedent’s daughter as executor when decedent executed a new will in 2007, neglected to make an effort to recover funds inappropriately diverted from the estate. Lewis v DiMaggio…, 516811, 3rd Dept 3-6-14

 

You might also like
CONFLICTING EVIDENCE ABOUT THE ABILITY TO SEE ICE ON THE PARKING LOT RAISED A TRIABLE QUESTION OF FACT WHETHER DEFENDANTS HAD CONSTRUCTIVE NOTICE OF THE CONDITION WHICH ALLEGEDLY CAUSED PLAINTIFF’S SLIP AND FALL (THIRD DEPT).
Division of Parole’s Mistake Which Resulted in the Incarceration of the Claimant Was Privileged—Claimant’s Action for False Imprisonment Properly Dismissed
Failure to Make Timely Motion to Dismiss Based Upon Improper Service Constituted a Waiver of the Jurisdictional Defense
COUNTY COURT’S FAILURE TO MAKE A SEARCHING INQUIRY WHEN DEFENDANT INDICATED HE WISHED TO REPRESENT HIMSELF REQUIRED REVERSAL, DESPITE PRESENCE OF STANDBY COUNSEL (THIRD DEPT).
THE EXECUTIVE LAW WHICH MAKES A LANDLORD’S REFUSAL TO ACCEPT TENANTS WHO RECEIVE SECTION 8 VOUCHERS AN UNLAWFUL DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICE IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL BECAUSE, AS A RESULT OF ACCEPTING SECTION 8 FUNDS, LANDLORDS MUST SUBMIT TO UNREASONABLE SEARCHES OF APARTMENTS AND RECORDS (THIRD DEPT).
Where There Is Permanent Partial Disability, the Benefits Are Calculated Based Upon the Difference Between the Pre-Disability Earnings and the Actual Earnings During the Period of Disability
THE ROLLING LADDER LEFT IN THE AISLE OF DEFENDANT’S STORE WAS READILY OBVERSABLE, WHICH SPEAKS ONLY TO DEFENDANT’S DUTY TO WARN, NOT TO THE DUTY TO KEEP THE PREMISES SAFE; THE PROTRUDING BAR ON THE LADDER CREATED A POTENTIAL TRIPPING HAZARD; DEFENDANTS’ SUMMARY JUDGMENT MOTION SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN GRANTED (THIRD DEPT).
“Expert” Affidavit Did Not Address the Affiant’s Qualifications for Rendering an Opinion Re: the Safety of a Curb and Sidewalk—Affidavit Should Not Have Been Relied Upon by the Motion Court

Categories

Sign Up for the Mailing List to Be Notified When the Site Is Updated.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Copyright © 2026 New York Appellate Digest, Inc.
Site by CurlyHost | Privacy Policy

Use of Church Property Sufficient to Maintain Tax-Exempt Status Language in the Arbitration Agreement Supported the Applicability of the New...