Bishop v. Maurer

New York Court of Appeals
Bishop v. Maurer, 875 N.E.2d 883 (N.Y. 2007)
9 N.Y.3d 910; 844 N.Y.S.2d 165
Kaye and Judges Ciparick, Graffeo, Read, Smith, Pigott and Jones Concur in Memorandum

Bishop v. Maurer

Opinion

OPINION OF THE COURT

Memorandum.

The order of the Appellate Division should be affirmed, with *911 costs, and the certified question not answered on the ground that it is unnecessary. It is true that plaintiffs here, as is normally the case, are bound by the estate planning documents decedent signed. Nevertheless, the conclusiveness of the underlying agreement does not absolutely preclude an action for professional malpractice against an attorney for negligently giving to a client an incorrect explanation of the contents of a legal document (see Arnav Indus., Inc. Retirement Trust v Brown, Raysman, Millstein, Felder & Steiner, 96 NY2d 300, 305 [2001]). Here, however, plaintiffs’ complaint is devoid of any nonconclusory allegation that incorrect advice was given.

Chief Judge Kaye and Judges Ciparick, Graffeo, Read, Smith, Pigott and Jones concur in memorandum.

On review of submissions pursuant to section 500.11 of the Rules of the Court of Appeals (22 NYCRR 500.11), order affirmed, etc.

Reference

Full Case Name
Lisa Bishop Et Al., Appellants, v Rona Maurer, Defendant, and Goodkind Labaton Rudoff & Sucharow, LLP, Et Al., Respondents
Cited By
22 cases
Status
Published