Scivoletti v. Marsala

• Decision Date: 16 February 1984
• Citation: 61 N.Y.2d 806,462 N.E.2d 126,473 N.Y.S.2d 949
• Parties: , 462 N.E.2d 126 Ottavio SCIVOLETTI, Appellant, v. Antionette MARSALA, as Executrix of Beatrice Annarella, Deceased, et al., Respondents.
• Court: New York Court of Appeals Court of Appeals

Page 949

473 N.Y.S.2d 949

61 N.Y.2d 806, 462 N.E.2d 126

Ottavio SCIVOLETTI, Appellant, v. Antionette MARSALA, as Executrix of Beatrice Annarella, Deceased, et al., Respondents.

Court of Appeals of New York.

Feb. 16, 1984.

[462 N.E.2d 127] A. Rene Hollyer, New York City, for appellant.

Ross M. Branca, Brooklyn, for respondents.

OPINION OF THE COURT MEMORANDUM.

The order of the Appellate Division 97 A.D.2d 401, 467 N.Y.S.2d 228 should be affirmed, with costs.

The record does not contain evidence to support a finding of any promise, express or implied, to convey the premises to plaintiff and, consequently, a constructive trust may not be imposed. (See Sharp v. Kosmalski, 40 N.Y.2d 119, 386 N.Y.S.2d 72, 351 N.E.2d 721.) Further, in the circumstances of this case, there being no implied promise to convey, reimburse or to grant a lesser interest in the property, plaintiff's mere expectation, however sincere, is insufficient to establish an equitable lien. (See 51 Am.Jur.2d, Liens, § 24.) Since no debt, duty or obligation of the decedent to the plaintiff has been demonstrated, an equitable lien cannot be imposed.

COOKE, C.J., and JASEN, JONES, WACHTLER, MEYER, SIMONS and KAYE, JJ., concur.

On review of submissions pursuant to section 500.4 of the Rules of the Court of Appeals (22 NYCRR 500.4), order affirmed, with costs, in a memorandum.