Surrogate Nelida Malave-Gonzalez
An institution in which Louis O.C. Jr. resided, commenced this action seeking revocation of letters of guardianship that issued to Louis’ mother. It sought appointment of a successor guardian. Mental Hygiene Legal Service (MHLS), served with the petition, indicated it assisted respondent guardian in her efforts to care for Louis, thus was conflicted in representing him here. The court appointed a guardian ad litem (GAL) for Louis. Petitioner orally moved for suspension of the letters of guardianship issued to the present guardian, and for one of Louis’ sisters to be appointed as temporary guardian due to alleged emergency circumstances arising since the filing of the petition. Guardian’s counsel objected to the proposed suspension and temporary appointment of a sister. The court ruled from the bench, due to allegations the status quo created an inherent risk to Louis and others, finding it in Louis’ best interests to grant the application for temporary relief by suspending the letters issued to respondent without prejudice and appointing a sister temporary guardian subject to filing certain required documents. It also directed the sister to file a separate guardianship petition if she sought full letters of guardianship.
