Nuts & Bolts of SCPA 2103 Proceedings
Gail M. Boggio, Esq.
McCarthy Fingar LLP
11 Martine Avenue
White Plains, New York 10606
914-946-3700
Nuts and Bolts of 2103 Proceedings
I. Proceeding by fiduciary to discover property withheld or obtain information
Purpose of a 2103 proceeding is to permit a fiduciary to marshal estate assets
Consists of:
Inquiry Stage
Turnover Stage
II. Statute of Limitations
• Discovery proceeding is in the nature of replevin or conversion and absent fraud is subject to the three year statute of limitations
• Breach of fiduciary duty is subject to six year statute of limitation
III. Who may bring a proceeding
2101(a) May be commenced by a fiduciary, creditor or person interested
Executor
Administrator
Preliminary executor
Temporary Administrator
What if the fiduciary has a conflict or is unwilling to bring a 2103 proceeding ((conflict of interest) person who has the property or information regarding the property is the fiduciary or fiduciary does not investigate or refuses to investigate although requested)?
Apply for limited or restricted letters of administration pursuant to SCPA §702 or SCPA §902 for temporary administration
Distributee
Beneficiary
Financial institution acting as a stake holder
Right to bring a proceeding under 2103 not absolute
2101(b) May be entertained by the court or may be reserved for determination in an accounting or other proceeding or the court may decline to entertain the proceeding. All proceedings shall be deemed entertained unless rejected by the court in writing within 15 days of submission.
Reasons for court to reject proceeding:
No subject matter jurisdiction
No personal jurisdiction over necessary parties
Lack of standing
Another proceeding or action pending in Surrogate’s Court or other court
Court’s discretion
Jurisdiction over Respondent
Lives in NY
NY Domiciliary
Committed an act or omission in NY
Procedure for bringing a 2103 proceeding:
IV. Option 1
Inquiry Stage Then Turnover
A. When fiduciary is not certain respondent has possession of estate property or when fiduciary believes respondent has information concerning estate property
Not all cases require inquiry stage
By petition alleging that a third party respondent has money, personal property or information relating to the decedent’s assets – based upon knowledge or “information and belief” and such property should be paid or delivered to the fiduciary
- Elements of Petition:
1. Identify Decedent
2. Identify the property at issue
3. Recite when the fiduciary was appointed
4. Set forth facts to support the position that respondent is in possession or control of estate property or had knowledge about such property
5. No requirement to allege facts that the estate owns the property that is the subject of the inquiry
6. Allegations sufficient to justify the inquiry to recover estate assets or administer the estate
7. Relief
• Must request an inquiry or examination
• Injunctive relief – maintain the status quo
– TRO
– Likelihood of success
– Probable injury
– Balance of the equities
– Unique property
– Irreparable harm
C. Supporting affidavit may accompany petition
D. Order directing the respondent to appear and be examined ORDER TO ATTEND
Court’s subpoena power
Certified copy of the order is served on respondent together with requisite subpoena fee under CPLR 8001
Personal service in NY
No long arm jurisdiction outside of NY
Failure to serve order properly and tender proper subpoena fee is a jurisdictional defect subject to dismissal of proceeding or supplemental order and proper service
E. On return date of Order to Attend Court may require inquiry to commence on the return date of the order
Not in Westchester
F. Respondent may make motion to dismiss proceeding – rarely given during inquiry stage
G. No discovery during inquiry stage
Scope of inquiry is very broad
Licensed fishing expedition
Dead Man Statute is not a barrier to the examination, however may be used at a trial in the turnover stage of the proceeding
After Inquiry Stage the information serves as a basis for seeking recovery of the property or determination that asset does not belong to the estate.
H. No requirement that respondent file and answer during inquiry stage
1 may appear and not file an answer
2 answer the petition
3 answer petition and claim title to the property
4 answer and admit possession without claiming title
5 answer and turnover property to the estate
I. At the end of inquiry the petitioner MUST demand that the property be turned over and that respondent file an answer
If respondent claims possession and ownership he MUST file a verified answer to the 2103 petition
V. Option 2:
Turnover Stage
A. Convert to Turnover Stage at conclusion of Inquiry Stage -once issue joined by filing of a verified answer
B. Fiduciary certain Respondent has property
C. If Petitioner skips the Inquiry Stage, then Petitioner must make factual allegations supporting the Petitioner’s position that the respondent has assets belonging to the estate and demand respondent turn over such assets to the fiduciary
D. If no Inquiry Stage then court issues a citation to show cause why person alleged to be in possession of the property should not deliver the property or its proceeds or value
No subpoena fee required
E. Injunctive relief would be sought by a separate order
Either party may demand jury trial
Ultimate Relief:
Direct delivery of property to the fiduciary
Injunctive relief
Constructive trust
F. No discovery until issue has been joined. Normal discovery rules under CPLR would apply, including party and non-party depositions, document production, demands for bill of particulars and other disclosure devices