2006 New York Code - Burden Of Establishing Signatures, Defenses And Due Course

 
  Section 3--307. Burden  of  Establishing  Signatures,  Defenses  and Due
                    Course.
    (1) Unless specifically denied in the pleadings each signature  on  an
  instrument  is admitted. When the effectiveness of a signature is put in
  issue
         (a) the burden of establishing it is on the party claiming  under
             the signature; but
         (b) the  signature is presumed to be genuine or authorized except
             where the action is to enforce the obligation of a  purported
             signer  who  has  died  or become incompetent before proof is
             required.
    (2) When signatures are admitted or  established,  production  of  the
  instrument  entitles  a  holder  to  recover  on it unless the defendant
  establishes a defense.
    (3) After it is shown that a defense  exists  a  person  claiming  the
  rights  of a holder in due course has the burden of establishing that he
  or some person under whom he claims is in all respects a holder  in  due
  course.