Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, 1980

In re the Estate of Guterman

In re the Estate of Guterman
Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York · Decided October 27, 1980
78 A.D.2d 699; 432 N.Y.S.2d 511; 1980 N.Y. App. Div. LEXIS 13225
In re the Estate of Guterman

Opinion of the Court

In a special proceeding to compel trustees to invade the principals of certain trusts, the appeal is from an order of the Surrogate’s Court, Nassau County, dated April 29, 1980, which denied the trustees’ motion to direct petitioner to join additional parties by supplemental citation. Order affirmed, without costs or disbursements. Involved herein is the application of the doctrine of virtual representation as embodied in SCPA 315. As the Surrogate’s Court correctly determined, the similarity of economic interests of the representor and representee is of primary importance. Considerations of kinship and familial affection should be accorded little weight under the circumstances of the case. Accordingly, the infant great-grandchildren of the testator, who are contingent remaindermen under the trusts, may be represented by their parents (grandchildren of the testator), who are remaindermen and have been joined as parties. Hopkins, J. P., Rabin, Margett and O’Connor, JJ., concur.

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