As we conclude the winter season and enter the year’s half-way mark, we note several decisions rendered by the Surrogate’s and Appellate courts affecting the field of trusts and estates. Consider the following opinions of interest.

Appellate Division Affirms Fiduciary Suspension

In In re Cozzoli, the Appellate Division affirmed an order of the Surrogate’s Court suspending the authority of the co-trustee of a GRAT until further order of the court. In the underlying proceeding, the preliminary executors of the decedent’s estate filed a petition to compel the release of funds from the GRAT for payment of New York state estate taxes owed, or in the alternative, to suspend or remove the co-trustee thereof. At a conference of the matter, the petitioners’ attorney made an oral application to immediately suspend the co-trustee of the GRAT. The application was granted and the co-trustee appealed.