Surrogate John Czygier Jr.
Petitioner mother, the trustee of the Christin Hyatt Supplemental Needs Trust (SNT), sought authorization to expend SNT funds for a bathroom renovation at the subject premises. She noted Christin, who suffered from cerebral palsy, resided at Life's WORC, but spent weekends with petitioner at her home claiming she was unable to bring Christin home more frequently as Christin's needs could not be adequately met at the house. Petitioner asserted the lowest estimate she was able to obtain for the renovation was nearly $70,000. Christin's guardian ad litem (GAL) agreed the petition should be granted, while the Suffolk County Department of Social Services (DSS) was opposed, stating it had reservations about the proposed cost. The court noted the SNT made "housing" a priority specifying the trustee shall allocate funds to be used to provide modifications to make the home more accessible and comfortable for Christin. Also, it found the GAL and DSS acknowledged the renovations would be in Christin's best interests, and the court found no counter proposal or competing estimate was provided. The court granted petitioner's application after she submitted an itemized list of the proposed modifications and costs.
