Livingston Mandel Deans, his father (Byron), and his second wife (Sharon), each shared a one-third interest in a Queens property.
After his death in 2001, Livingston's property went to his wife Sharon and to his two surviving children. But in 2003, Sharon supposedly forged her step-daughter's signature onto a deed and -- using documents executed by an imposter claiming to be Byron -- obtained a $370,000 mortgage from Real Spec Ventures, LLC.
After the Queens County Surrogate's Court found the deed and mortgage fraudulent and cancelled the recording of those documents, Real Spec appealed.
Because the Surrogate's Court lacked the power to decide "independent matters involving controversies between living persons," the Appellate Division, Second Department, thought the mortgage's cancellation (in its entirety) was an error.
Who reported that to the Deans?
To view a copy of the Appellate Division's decision, please use this link: Matter of Deans