IN RE: Fritz FRANCOIS (2026)

Supreme Court, Appellate Division, First Department, New York.

IN RE: Fritz FRANCOIS, MD, etc., Petitioner–Respondent, for the Appointment of a Guardian for the Person and Property of J.L., also known as J.A., an Alleged Incapacitated Person, L. A., Nonparty–Appellant.

5549

Decided: January 13, 2026

Kern, J.P., Kennedy, Higgitt, O'Neill Levy, Chan, JJ.

Lisa Aptaker, appellant pro se. Miller & Milone, P.C., Garden City (Tammy Rose Lawlor of counsel), for respondent.

Appeal from amended order and judgment (one paper), Supreme Court, New York County (Aija Tingling, J.), entered October 17, 2024, which granted the petition for the appointment of a guardian of the person and property of J. L., also known as J. A., an alleged incapacitated person (AIP), unanimously affirmed, without costs.

As an initial matter, nonparty appellant, who is the AIP's daughter, has standing pursuant to CPLR 5511 to challenge the October 17, 2024 order because she opposed the petition.

Supreme Court properly found that petitioner demonstrated by clear and convincing evidence that the AIP is not able to provide for her personal needs and property management, cannot adequately understand and appreciate the nature and consequences of such inability, and is incapacitated as defined by Mental Hygiene Law § 81.02(b).

We have considered appellant's remaining contentions and find them unavailing.

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