Case Name: Helen Curran, Appellant, v. Estate of Thomas P. Curran, Sr., Respondent, et al., Defendants
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 2011-08-16
Citations: 87 A.D.3d 607
Docket Number: 
Parties: Helen Curran, Appellant, v Estate of Thomas P. Curran, Sr., Respondent, et al., Defendants.
Judges: 
Reporter: Appellate Division Reports
Volume: 87
Pages: 607–607

Head Matter:
Helen Curran, Appellant, v Estate of Thomas P. Curran, Sr., Respondent, et al., Defendants.
[928 NYS2d 463]

Opinion:
That branch of the motion of the defendant Estate of Thomas E Curran, Sr. (hereinafter the defendant), which was pursuant to CELR 3211 (a) (1) dismiss the complaint insofar as asserted against it should have been denied. "An agreement to arbitrate is not a defense to an action," and thus, as here, it may not be the basis for a motion to dismiss a complaint based on documentary evidence (Allied Bldg. Inspectors Intl. Union of Operating Engrs., Local Union No. 211, AFL-CIO v Office of Labor Relations of City of N.Y., 45 NY2d 735, 738 [1978]; see CPLR 3211 [a] [1]; Nachman v Jenelo Corp., 25 AD3d 593 [2006]; Nastasi v Nastasi, 26 AD3d 32, 40-41 [2005]; Schwartz v Schmergel, 121 AD2d 527 [1986]).
In light of our determination, the plaintiffs remaining contention is academic. Skelos, J.E, Belen, Hall and Roman, JJ., concur.