New York Surrogate's Court, 1920

In re the Estate of Donovan

In re the Estate of Donovan
New York Surrogate's Court · Decided April 15, 1920 · Foley
14 Misc. 533

Counsel

Valentine & Chichester, for petitioner,, Adolph Bangser, for guardian., Peter P. McElligott, special guardian.

In re the Estate of Donovan

Opinion of the Court

Foley, S.

The question involved in this accounting is as to the distribution of the proceeds of a judgment obtained for negligence resulting in death. The decedent left him surviving a widow, six children and one grandchild, a daughter of a deceased daughter. The administratrix contends that section 1903 of the Code of Civil Procedure, as construed by Matter of Meng, 227 N. Y. 264, excludes the grandchild from sharing in the distribution. Subdivision 1, section 1903, however, only applies where no children survive the deceased. Where children survive the first sentence of that section applies, and the damages recovered are “ for the benefit of decedent’s husband or wife and next of kin.” The grandchild, under section 1870 of *534the Code of Civil Procedure, and subdivision 1, section 98 of the Decedent Estate Law, is one of the next of kin and is entitled to her proper distributive share. Matter of Meng, supra, is not applicable here.

Decreed accordingly.

Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.