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.
Gwendolyn R. BRYANT, etc., Plaintiff-Respondent, v. Albert RIDDLE, M.D., Defendant, Carnegie Partners, Inc., etc., Defendant-Appellant.
Order, Supreme Court, New York County (Stanley Sklar, J.), entered on or about January 21, 1998, which denied defendants' motion to dismiss the complaint for plaintiff's lack of capacity to sue, and granted plaintiff's cross motion for appointment of a guardian ad litem, unanimously affirmed, without costs.
The motion to dismiss was properly denied on the ground that a person of unsound mind but not judicially declared incompetent may sue or be sued in the same manner as any other person (Sengstack v. Sengstack, 4 N.Y.2d 502, 176 N.Y.S.2d 337, 151 N.E.2d 887). The cross motion for appointment of a guardian ad litem was properly granted since it appears that plaintiff is an unadjudicated incompetent (see, id., at 509-510, 176 N.Y.S.2d 337, 151 N.E.2d 887; CPLR 1202). Defendants' argument for dismissal is hardly advanced by cases denying a default judgment against a person whose mental competency is questionable and for whom a guardian ad litem has not been appointed (e.g., Sarfaty v. Sarfaty, 83 A.D.2d 748, 443 N.Y.S.2d 506).
MEMORANDUM DECISION.
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: March 23, 1999
Court: Supreme Court, Appellate Division, First Department, 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)