Matter of Imre B.R. (I.B.R.)
Annotate this CaseDecided on June 5, 2013
Supreme Court, Dutchess County
In the Matter of the Application for the Appointment of a Special Guardian of the Property by Imre B.R., FOR I.B.R., An Alleged Incapacitated Person.
2953/13
ELIZABETH VALENTIN, ESQ.
LITTMAN KROOKS, LLP
Attorneys for Petitioner
IMRE ROHONCZY
399 Knollwood Road
White Plains, New York 10603
James D. Pagones, J.
Imre B.R. ("Imre") has presented an order to show cause supported by a verified petition with four (4) exhibits for the purpose of commencing a special proceeding under Mental Hygiene Law Article 81 ("MHL"). Imre requests a judgment of this court appointing him as the Alleged Incapacitated Person's ("AIP") limited guardian pursuant to MHL §§81.16(b) and (c)(2). The petition alleges that the AIP is incapacitated as that term is discussed in MHL §81.02(b). The basis for this application is grounded in the refusal of a financial institution, Merrill Lynch, to recognize the power of attorney executed by the AIP on December 18, 2010 under which Imre is currently acting as the AIP's agent. Imre indicates that all other entities in which the AIP has a financial interest have accepted the power of attorney. The Court declines to sign the order to show cause for the following reasons.
MHL §81.02 requires a finding based upon clear and convincing evidence that the AIP is likely to suffer harm because the person is unable to provide for personal needs and/or property management and cannot adequately understand and appreciate the nature and consequences of such inability.
Even assuming incapacity, there is no need for a guardian in this instance as Imre is the agent-in-fact under the power of attorney which all entities other than Merrill Lynch have accepted. The General Obligations Law ("GOL") provides a remedy for Imre to compel Merrill Lynch to accept the power of attorney (GOL §§5-1504[2] and 5-1510([2][i]). MHL Article 81 [*2]requires treating a guardianship as a last resort. In light of the remedy available under the GOL, it would be an inappropriate use of judicial resources to appoint a guardian in this case.
MHL §81.06(a)(6) authorizes a person concerned with the welfare of the AIP to commence a proceeding under Article 81. Imre is the stepson of the AIP. He is a domiciliary of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. This Court can only exercise jurisdiction over his person for enforcement purposes within the state. With the increasing use of computerized technology to undertake and conclude financial transactions, it is conceivable that Imre could do just that without ever setting foot in New York, thereby depriving the Court from exercising its authority over him.
The United States and Canada are signatories of the Hague Convention protocols regarding out-of-country process and enforcement of judgments, e.g. 1) the Convention of 15 November 1965 on the Service Abroad of Judicial and Extrajudicial Documents in Civil or Commercial Matters; 2) Convention of 1 February 1971 on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments in Civil and Commercial Matters; 3) Supplementary Protocol of 1 February 1971 to the Hague Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments in Civil and Commercial Matters; 4) Convention of 25 October 1980 on International Access to Justice; 5) Convention of 13 January 2000 on the International Protection of Adults; and, 6) Convention of 5 July 2006 on the Law Applicable to Certain Rights in Respect of Securities held with an Intermediary. MHL §81.26 provides for designation of the clerk of the court and the clerk's successor for services of process in cases where the guardian is out of state. Imre's domicile in Canada creates practical problems and additional costs for enforcement.
Finally, the appointment of a co-guardian will not cure those problems and will add to the cost of the guardianship. The co-guardian could incur liability for any acts or omissions committed by the other guardian. The co-guardian would, in essence, become a defacto monitor or oversight manager with no authority to pursue legal remedies beyond New York's border, except as provided in the various protocols established by the Hague Convention.
The foregoing constitutes the decision and order of the Court.
Dated:Poughkeepsie, New York
June 5, 2013
ENTER
HON. JAMES D. PAGONES, A.J.S.C.
060313 decision & order
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