Judge: Kristin S. Escalante , Case: 20STCV47614, Date: 2023-06-29 Tentative Ruling

Case Number: 20STCV47614    Hearing Date: June 29, 2023    Dept: 24

NATURE OF PROCEEDINGS: Hearing on Motion - Other to Substitute Successors In Interest of Deceased Plaintiff Todd Ary As Plaintiffs

 

TENTATIVE RULING:

The above-captioned matters are called for hearing.

 

The Court has read the moving papers in the above-captioned motion and announces its tentative rulings in open Court.

 

The unopposed Notice of Motion and Motion to Substitute Successors In Interest of Deceased Plaintiff Todd Ary As Plaintiffs, ID: 713844150012 filed by Plaintiff Todd Ary on 05/31/2023 is GRANTED.

 

Plaintiff Todd Ary (“Decedent”) died in Los Angeles California on February 19, 2023. Todd Ary, Jr. (“Todd Jr.”) and Ariah Alyse Ary (“Ariah”) (collectively “Successors”) are Decedent’s children and successors in interest. Successors move for an order substituting themselves as Plaintiff in place of Decedent. (Notice of Mtn., at p. 2.)

 

Discussion

 

“On motion after the death of a person who commenced an action or proceeding, the court shall allow a pending action or proceeding that does not abate to be continued by the decedent’s personal representative or, if none, by the decedent’s successor in interest.” (Code Civ. Proc. §¿377.31.) A person seeking to continue a pending action must file a declaration including (1) decedent’s name, (2) decedent’s place and date of death, (3) that “[n]o proceeding is no pending in California for the administration of decedent’s estate”, (4) if decedent’s estate was administered then a copy of the final order showing the distribution, (5) either that declarant is decedent’s successor in interest or is authorized to act on behalf of the successor in interest, (6) “[n]o other person has a superior right to commence the action or proceeding or to be substituted for the decedent in the pending action or proceeding”, and (7) “[t]he affiant or declarant affirms or declares under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing is true and correct.” (Code Civ. Proc., §377.32 subd., (a) [“Section 377.32”].)

 

Here, Successors submit a single declaration signed by Todd Jr., Ariah, and Ariah’s mother Tiosha Starks (“Starks”). The declaration contains all the necessary components under Section 377.32. It also attaches the Death Certificate of Decedent. (Decl., ¶8, Ex. 3.) Additionally, the declaration states that Starks will request the Court appoint Starks as a guardian ad litem (“GAL”) for Ariah—a minor—with respect to Decedent’s interest. (Decl., ¶6, Ex. 2 [“GAL Application”])

 

Accordingly, the motion is granted.

 

Moving party is directed to give notice.

 

 

NATURE OF PROCEEDINGS: Hearing on Motion - Other to Substitute Successors In Interest of Deceased Plaintiff Todd Ary As Plaintiffs

 

TENTATIVE RULING:

The above-captioned matters are called for hearing.

 

The Court has read the moving papers in the above-captioned motion and announces its tentative rulings in open Court.

 

The unopposed Notice of Motion and Motion to Substitute Successors In Interest of Deceased Plaintiff Todd Ary As Plaintiffs, ID: 713844150012 filed by Plaintiff Todd Ary on 05/31/2023 is GRANTED.

 

Plaintiff Todd Ary (“Decedent”) died in Los Angeles California on February 19, 2023. Todd Ary, Jr. (“Todd Jr.”) and Ariah Alyse Ary (“Ariah”) (collectively “Successors”) are Decedent’s children and successors in interest. Successors move for an order substituting themselves as Plaintiff in place of Decedent. (Notice of Mtn., at p. 2.)

 

Discussion

 

“On motion after the death of a person who commenced an action or proceeding, the court shall allow a pending action or proceeding that does not abate to be continued by the decedent’s personal representative or, if none, by the decedent’s successor in interest.” (Code Civ. Proc. §¿377.31.) A person seeking to continue a pending action must file a declaration including (1) decedent’s name, (2) decedent’s place and date of death, (3) that “[n]o proceeding is no pending in California for the administration of decedent’s estate”, (4) if decedent’s estate was administered then a copy of the final order showing the distribution, (5) either that declarant is decedent’s successor in interest or is authorized to act on behalf of the successor in interest, (6) “[n]o other person has a superior right to commence the action or proceeding or to be substituted for the decedent in the pending action or proceeding”, and (7) “[t]he affiant or declarant affirms or declares under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing is true and correct.” (Code Civ. Proc., §377.32 subd., (a) [“Section 377.32”].)

 

Here, Successors submit a single declaration signed by Todd Jr., Ariah, and Ariah’s mother Tiosha Starks (“Starks”). The declaration contains all the necessary components under Section 377.32. It also attaches the Death Certificate of Decedent. (Decl., ¶8, Ex. 3.) Additionally, the declaration states that Starks will request the Court appoint Starks as a guardian ad litem (“GAL”) for Ariah—a minor—with respect to Decedent’s interest. (Decl., ¶6, Ex. 2 [“GAL Application”])

 

Accordingly, the motion is granted.

 

Moving party is directed to give notice.