IN RE: LINDA H.A. (Anonymous) (2019)

DECISION & ORDER

In a proceeding pursuant to Mental Hygiene Law article 81 to appoint a guardian of the person and property of Linda H. A., an alleged incapacitated person, Linda H.A. appeals from a judgment of the Supreme Court, Nassau County (Karen V. Murphy, J.), dated June 25, 2018.  The judgment, after a hearing, granted the petition to appoint an independent guardian to manage Linda H. A.'s person and property.

ORDERED that the judgment is affirmed, without costs or disbursements.

The petitioner, as Executive Director of North Shore University Hospital (hereinafter the hospital), commenced this proceeding pursuant to Mental Hygiene Law article 81, alleging that Linda H.A. was an incapacitated person and that a guardian was needed to provide for her personal needs and property management.  After a hearing, the Supreme Court granted the petition to appoint an independent guardian to manage Linda H. A.'s person and property.  Linda H.A. appeals.

In order for a court to exercise its authority to appoint a personal needs guardian or a property management guardian, it must make a two-pronged determination (see Mental Hygiene Law § 81.02[a];  Matter of Carole L., 136 A.D.3d 917, 918, 26 N.Y.S.3d 133;  Matter of Maher, 207 A.D.2d 133, 139–140, 621 N.Y.S.2d 617).  First, the court must determine that “the appointment is necessary to provide for the personal needs of that person, including food, clothing, shelter, health care, or safety and/or to manage the property and financial affairs of that person” (Mental Hygiene Law § 81.02[a][1] ).  Second, the court must determine either “that the person agrees to the appointment, or that the person is incapacitated” (Mental Hygiene Law § 81.02[a][2] ).  With respect to this second element, “[t]he determination of incapacity ․ shall consist of a determination that a person is likely to suffer harm because” (1) “the person is unable to provide for [his or her] personal needs and/or property management” and (2) “the person cannot adequately understand and appreciate the nature and consequences of such inability” (Mental Hygiene Law § 81.02[b];  see Matter of Carole L., 136 A.D.3d at 918–919, 26 N.Y.S.3d 133).

A “determination that a person is incapacitated ․ must be based on clear and convincing evidence,” and “shall be made only after a hearing” (Mental Hygiene Law §§ 81.11[a], 81.12[a];  see Mental Hygiene Law § 81.02[b] ).  “The burden of proof shall be on the petitioner” (Mental Hygiene Law § 81.12[a];  see Matter of Samuel S. [Helene S.], 96 A.D.3d 954, 957, 947 N.Y.S.2d 144).

Here, the evidence adduced at the hearing demonstrated that Linda H.A. was likely to suffer harm because she was unable to provide for her personal needs and property management and that she was unable to adequately understand and appreciate the nature and consequences of these inabilities (see Mental Hygiene Law § 81.02;  Matter of Barbara S. [Lenora S.], 99 A.D.3d 1008, 952 N.Y.S.2d 472;  Matter of Joseph S., 25 A.D.3d 804, 805–806, 808 N.Y.S.2d 426;  Matter of Margaret K., 17 A.D.3d 466, 792 N.Y.S.2d 350).  The evidence at the hearing consisted of the testimony of four persons:  (1) Linda H. A., (2) Linda H. A.'s sister, (3) a social worker assigned to oversee Linda H. A.'s care, and (4) the court-appointed evaluator, who had interviewed Linda H. A., the social worker, and Linda H. A.'s three siblings, among others (cf. Matter of Fritz G., 164 A.D.3d 503, 504, 77 N.Y.S.3d 872).  The record reveals that Linda H.A. had expressed delusional beliefs, had been evicted from her apartment because of her abusive and disruptive behavior toward other tenants, and had since been living in a train station or in the boiler room of a building, among other places.  She was unable to articulate a plan for obtaining housing upon her discharge from the hospital.  The record also reveals that Linda H.A. had a history of failing to comply with medical treatment and refusing assistance with housing.  Thus, the petitioner demonstrated, by clear and convincing evidence, that Linda H.A. was incapacitated.

Accordingly, we agree with the Supreme Court's determination to grant the petition to appoint an independent guardian to manage Linda H. A.'s person and property.

RIVERA, J.P., MALTESE, BARROS and IANNACCI, JJ., concur.