Case Name: Matter of Jemime Grote
Court: New York Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1900-04
Citations: 31 Misc. 99
Docket Number: 
Parties: Matter of Jemime Grote.
Judges: 
Reporter: New York Miscellaneous Reports
Volume: 31
Pages: 99–100

Head Matter:
Matter of Jemime Grote.
(Supreme Court, Albany Special Term,
April, 1900.)
Incompetent persons — Findings of inquisition — Confirmation — Code C. P., — §§ 2335, 2338, 2335.
Section 2335 of the Code of Civil Procedure limits an inquiry, with respect to the competency of an alleged lunatic, to the time of the inquiry, and, therefore it is improper, notwithstanding the provisions of sections 2325 and 2328 of said Code, for the inquisition to determine that the incompetent person had conveyed her real property to her husband during incompetency, or that that condition had extended back for a period of seven months before the inquisition.
The error will not, however, prevent confirmation of the other findings, including that of incompetency at the date of the inquisition.
Motion to confirm an inquisition under a commission de lunático inquirendo, and for the appointment of a committee.
Smith O’Brien, for petitioner.
Winfield S. Hevenor, for Adam B. Grote.

Opinion:
Chester, J.
The inquisition returned by the commissioner and jurors and the verdict of the jurors show that they have found that Jemime Grote was incompetent by reason of unsound mind and weakened understanding to care for herself or manage her property, not only at the time of the inquiry, but also that said infirmity dates back at least seven months prior to the inquiry, and that during that time she had conveyed her real estate to her husband, Adam B. Grote.
While section 2325 of the Code of Civil Procedure authorizes an allegation in the petition that the alleged 'incompetent person had conveyed her property during her incompetency, as well as allegations to whom, for what value and for what consideration, and section 2328 provides for an inquiry into the matters set forth in the petition, yet section 2335 expressly limits the inquiry upon the question of ineompeteney to the time of the inquiry. For this reason, notwithstanding there was ample testimony to support all the findings made, it was improper to determine that the alleged incompetent person had conveyed her property while incompetent, or that her incompetency extended hack for a period of seven months prior to the inquisition. Matter of Demelt, 27 Hun, 480.
The error, however, will not prevent confirmation of the other findings, including the finding of incompetency at the date of the inquisition. Matter of Cook, 6 N. Y. Supp. 720. To this extent the inquisition should be confirmed and a committee appointed.
The attorney for the petitioner may prepare an order of confirmation as above indicated and for the appointment of the petitioner, Maria Van Arnam—the daughter of Mrs. Grote — as committee of her person and estate, and submit it for settlement upon a two days' notice, at which time the amount of the bond will be fixed and the question of costs determined.
Ordered accordingly.