In re De Pierris
Opinion of the Court
"We see no reason for interfering with the conclusion arrived at by the surrogate. There were two grounds upon which his decision seems to have rested: First, that the appellant was not a party in interest; and secondly, that having commenced an action in the Supreme Court for an accounting she would not be allowed to maintain an independent proceeding in the Surrogate’s Court.
It is urged upon the part of the appellant, that she having sworn that she was a party in interest, the surrogate had no discretion, and 'as the Supreme Court may not entertain the action for the accounting, the surrogate erred in dismissing the proceeding before him. We are not aware that it has yet been established that because a party swears that he has an interest, and the papers upon their face show that he has not, the surrogate is bound to entertain any appli
Furthermore, the appellant has chosen her forum, and having filed a bill in the Supreme Court for an accounting, there is no reason why she should have an independent proceeding. If' the coui't should refuse to entertain that branch of her action which pertains to the accounting, it will be time enough then, in case the court shall decide that she has an interest, for the appellant to pursue her remedies in the Surrogate’s Court.
The order should be affirmed, with costs.
Order affirmed, with costs.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.