During the past year, the appellate courts have rendered decisions of interest to the field of trusts and estates. The opinions discussed in this month’s column should provide valuable instruction to the Surrogate’s Court practitioner.

Use of Power of Attorney to Make Gift Affirmed by the First Department

In Matter of Argondizza, 168 A.D.3d 426 (1st Dep’t 2019), the Appellate Division, First Department, affirmed an Order of the Surrogate’s Court, New York County (Mella, S.), which denied the petitioners’ cross-motion for summary judgment directing a turnover of assets, and granted respondent’s motion for summary judgment dismissing the petition.