Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_06-cv-00060/USCOURTS-casd-3_06-cv-00060-2/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 440
Nature of Suit: Other Civil Rights
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Civil Rights Act

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1 06CV0060 BTM (WMC)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

ESTATE OF JESUS MANZO ET. AL.,

Plaintiff,

CASE NO. 06CV0060 BTM (WMC)

ORDER RE OSC AND GRANTING

MOTION FOR SUMMARY

JUDGMENT ON CLAIMS BROUGHT

ON BEHALF OF THE ESTATE OF

MANZO

vs.

COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO, ET. AL.,

Defendants.

On August 15, 2008, the Court ordered the parties to show cause why the claims

brought by the estate of Manzo should not be dismissed for lack of standing. Specifically, the

Court noted that the claims on behalf of the estate of Manzo were brought by Maria

Maldinado despite the fact that there was no evidence that Maria Maldinado was either the

personal representative of or successor in interest to Jesus Manzo under California law. 

The Court has reviewed the parties’ responses to the Court’s order to show cause and

concludes that Maria Maldinado does not have standing to prosecute the claims on behalf

of the estate of Manzo. Plaintiffs argue that Perla Ruiz, the guardian ad litem for Anahi

Manzo (Jesus Manzo’s daughter), authorized Maria Maldinado to proceed on behalf of Anahi

Manzo. The Court agrees that Anahi Manzo is likely Jesus Manzo’s successor in interest

pursuant to the laws of intestate succession. Plaintiffs’ argument, however, is problematic

for the reasons below. First, the Court notes that Perla Ruiz was never officially named

guardian ad litem for Anahi Manzo for the purposes of this case. If she wishes to proceed as

Case 3:06-cv-00060-BTM-WMC Document 79 Filed 09/29/08 Page 1 of 2
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2 06CV0060 BTM (WMC)

guardian ad litem, she must file an application to do so before the magistrate judge. 

Second, Plaintiffs provide no legal support for the proposition that a guardian ad litem may

summarily authorize another to act as successor in interest to these claims. The Court

therefore GRANTS Defendants’ motion for summary judgment on the claims brought by the

estate of Manzo and DISMISSES these claims without prejudice. Maria Maldinado is also

dismissed from this action without prejudice. The proper party to proceed with the claims on

behalf of the estate of Manzo may amend the complaint to do so on or before October 24,

2008. 

IT IS SO ORDERED. 

DATED: September 29, 2008

Honorable Barry Ted Moskowitz

United States District Judge

Case 3:06-cv-00060-BTM-WMC Document 79 Filed 09/29/08 Page 2 of 2