Learn About the Law
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
IN RE: Anthony Frank FIZZINOGLIA, & c., Deceased. Josephine Paradiso Fizzinoglia, Appellant; Frank Fizzinoglia, Respondent.
MEMORANDUM:
The order of the Appellate Division should be affirmed, with costs.
In this administration proceeding pursuant to Surrogate's Court Procedure Act § 1001, Surrogate's Court properly denied petitioner's motion for summary judgment dismissing objectant's claim against the Estate. Petitioner did not make a prima facie showing that the prenuptial agreement she and the decedent signed was invalid and unenforceable insofar as it omitted a statement of the parties' assets and liabilities. Notably, petitioner testified that she was aware when the agreement was executed that the statement was absent, and that, at the time, the decedent's finances “didn't matter” to her. Moreover, the record does not contain any indication that the decedent “attempted to conceal or misrepresent the nature or extent of his assets” (Panossian v. Panossian, 172 A.D.2d 811, 813 [2d Dept 1991] ).
At trial, Surrogate's Court properly granted objectant's motion for judgment as a matter of law under CPLR 4401. Petitioner failed to present prima facie proof that “a fact-based, particularized inequality” (Matter of Greiff, 92 N.Y.2d 341, 346 [1998] ) existed between the decedent and herself at the time of the execution of the prenuptial agreement, or of her resulting burden of proof that the agreement was the product of fraud, duress, overreaching, or other inequitable conduct by the decedent (see generally Christian v. Christian, 42 N.Y.2d 63, 71–73 [1977] ).
Petitioner's remaining contentions lack merit in the circumstances of this case.
Order affirmed, with costs, in a memorandum.
Chief Judge LIPPMAN and Judges PIGOTT, RIVERA, ABDUS–SALAAM, STEIN and FAHEY concur.
Thank you for your feedback!
As the largest network of trusted legal brands, we help firms build authority across the platforms consumers and AI systems rely on most. Our network helps attorneys strengthen visibility, credibility, and preference where legal decisions begin.
Decided: November 18, 2015
Court: Court of Appeals of New York.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)
Harness the power of our directory with your own profile. Select the button below to sign up.
Learn more about FindLaw’s newsletters, including our terms of use and privacy policy.
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)