Riollano v. District Director of Internal Revenue
Riollano v. District Director of Internal Revenue
Opinion of the Court
Plaintiffs bring this motion for summary judgment in an action which seeks to recover a sum of $577.47, turned over to the defendant by the Chase Manhattan Bank, pursuant to a notice of levy served upon the bank in November of 1960. This sum of money was deposited in a joint account bearing the names of Bien-venida Riollano and Candía Garcia. The levy was made by the defendant in order to effect collection of additional income taxes for the year 1952, assessed against plaintiff Candía Garcia and her husband, Henry Garcia.
Plaintiffs’ principal contention is that Riollano was and is the sole owner of
The law of New York which applies here provides that a joint bank account such as the one in issue raises the presumption of a joint tenancy. Banking Law, § 134, subd. 3; Marrow v. Moskowitz, 1931, 255 N.Y. 219, 174 N.E. 460. This presumption may be rebutted by a showing through competent evidence that in the opening of the joint account something other than a joint tenancy was intended by the parties. Marrow v. Moskowitz, supra; Matter of Porianda’s Estate, 1931, 256 N.Y. 423, 176 N.E. 826; In re Estate of Malone, 1960, 24 Misc.2d 133, 202 N.Y.S.2d 804.
The mere fact that Riollano may have been the sole source of the deposit does not rebut the presumption of a joint tenancy. On the contrary, such a deposit seems to be the usual practice. See cases cited above.
In any event, the defendant has not had the opportunity to take the depositions of the. plaintiffs and exercise its right to cross-examination, which is so important in a case where all the facts are solely in the knowledge of the moving party. Arnstein v. Porter, 2 Cir., 1946, 154 F.2d 464; Colby v. Klune, 2 Cir., 1949, 178 F.2d 872. The moving party bears the burden of showing the absence of any genuine issue of fact requiring a trial, and when there is the slightest doubt as to the facts the motion for summary judgment should be denied. Doehler Metal Furniture Co. v. United States, 2 Cir., 1945, 149 F.2d 130, 135; Bozant v. Bank of New York, 2 Cir., 1946, 156 F.2d 787.
Motion denied. So ordered.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Bienvenida RIOLLANO and Candia Garcia v. DISTRICT DIRECTOR OF INTERNAL REVENUE
- Status
- Published