IN RE: Adele Blaukopf (2010)

Argued-February 22, 2010

DECISION & ORDER

In a probate proceeding, the petitioner appeals from an order of the Surrogate's Court, Nassau County (Riordan, S.), dated March 31, 2009, which, inter alia, vacated a decree dated October 31, 2008, admitting to probate the decedent's will dated November 8, 2006, and vacated the letters testamentary issued to her.

ORDERED that the order is affirmed, with costs payable by the petitioner personally to the respondents.

A court may exercise its inherent powers to “vacate its own [decree] for sufficient reason and in the interests of substantial justice” (Woodson v. Mendon Leasing Corp., 100 N.Y.2d 62, 68;  see Ladd v. Stevenson, 112 N.Y. 325, 332;  Matter of Culberson, 11 AD3d 859, 861;  Goldman v. Cotter, 10 AD3d 289, 293).   Under the particular facts of this case, including, inter alia, the fact that the petitioner filed a total of three different petitions for probate and letters testamentary wherein she made several conflicting statements, the Surrogate's Court properly vacated the subject decree and letters testamentary issued to the petitioner.

The parties' remaining contentions either are without merit or need not be reached in light of our determination.

RIVERA, J.P., FLORIO, ANGIOLILLO and BELEN, JJ., concur.

ENTER:

James Edward Pelzer

Clerk of the Court