CPLR 5239 Is the Proper Vehicle for Vacation of an Execution—Here Defendant’s Brother Brought a CPLR 5239 Proceeding to Vacate an Execution Against the Brother’s Property Which Purported to Relate to a Debt Owed by Defendant—The Execution Was Vacated Based Upon the Brother’s Proof of Ownership

The Second Department determined Kamel, a non-party, had demonstrated that he did not have an ownership interest in property which was executed against to satisfy a judgment against the defendant, Kamel’s brother. The court explained the procedure to vacate an execution pursuant to CPLR 5239:

Pursuant to CPLR 5239, “any interested person may commence a special proceeding against the judgment creditor or other person with whom a dispute exists to determine rights in the property or debt” (CPLR 5239…). The court may “vacate the execution or order, void the levy, direct the disposition of the property or debt, or direct that damages be awarded” and, if necessary, may hold a hearing to determine the proper disposition (CPLR 5239…). As the party seeking relief, “it [is the] petitioner’s burden to proffer evidence demonstrating that the property was not subject to the lien identified in the notice of sheriff’s sale” … .

At the hearing, Kamel presented mortgage documents relating to the purchase of the LIC property, as well as documents identifying him as the principal of the LLC which held legal title to that property and his own personal guaranty for the $1.45 million mortgage loan for that property. Accordingly, Kamel met his burden of demonstrating that the LIC property was not subject to execution … . Born to Build LLC v Saleh, 2015 NY Slip Op 01232, 2nd Dept 2-11-15