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PETITIONER, WHO IS MILDLY AUTISTIC, DEMONSTRATED (1) HE IS NOT DISABLED WITHIN THE MEANING OF SURROGATE’S COURT PROCEDURE ACT (SCPA) ARTICLE 17-A AND (2) HE UNDERSTANDS AND IS ABLE TO MANAGE HIS FINANCIAL AFFAIRS; THE PETITION TO DISSOLVE THE GUARDIANSHIP OF HIS PROPERTY SHOULD HAVE BEEN GRANTED (SECOND DEPT).

The Second Department, reversing Surrogate’s Court, determined petitioner, who is mildly autistic, demonstrated he did not have a disability within the meaning of Surrogate’s Court Procedure Act (SCPA) article 17-a and, therefore, his petition to dissolve the guardianship of his property should have been granted. Petitioner held a job was up-to-date on all his bills:

The petitioner established that he did not have a disability as defined in SCPA article 17-A, as his evidence showed that his ability to “understand and appreciate the nature and consequences of decisions” was not impaired (id. § 1750-a[1]). The petitioner presented medical evidence that his autism was mild and that he did not have significant deficits in adaptive functioning. He also showed, through his own testimony, that he understood the consequences of decisions in financial and other areas. * * *

The petitioner understood, for example, how his rent was calculated, the importance of staying up to date with his bills, what expenses were nonessential and could be eliminated when he needed to conserve money, how to open a bank account, how to obtain advice from the bank on improving his financial situation, and that he would not have direct access to his trust funds if the guardianship were dissolved and that those funds were placed into a pooled trust. Matter of Robert C. B., 2022 NY Slip Op 04301, Second Dept 7-6-22

Practice Point: The medical records demonstrated petitioner’s mild autism is not a disability within the meaning of the Surrogate’s Court Procedure Act. Petitioner demonstrated through his own testimony that he understands and is able to manage his financial affairs. The petition to dissolve the guardianship of his property should have been granted.

 

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