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IN THE MATTER OF ONTARL J. CHRISTOPHER, DECEASED. J. TERRY CHRISTOPHER, APPELLANT-RESPONDENT; MARY LYNN GREENOUGH, ET AL., RESPONDENTS-APPELLANTS.

DECISION ORDER

ORDERED that the notice of cross appeal is treated as an application for leave to cross-appeal from so much of the order as denied that branch of the motion which was to strike scandalous and prejudicial matter, and leave to appeal is granted (see, CPLR 5701[c]); and it is further,

ORDERED that the order is affirmed insofar as appealed and cross-appealed from, without costs or disbursements.

Contrary to the appellant's contentions, because there was no finding of misconduct on the part of his sister, Mary Lynn Greenough, the only other beneficiary of their father's estate, the Surrogate's Court providently exercised its discretion in denying the petition seeking payment of his attorney's fees solely from her share of the proceeds of the estate (see, People v. Graham, 238 A.D.2d 682; Matter of Burns, 126 A.D.2d 809). The Surrogate's Court also did not err in denying the application of Mary Lynn Greenough, Rush Greenough IV, and Christopher S. Greenough for the imposition of sanctions. Although the petition for attorney's fees was without merit, it did not rise to the level of frivolous conduct necessary for the imposition of sanctions (see, 22 NYCRR 103-1.1 [a], [c]).

The parties' remaining contentions are either academic, unpreserved for appellate review, or without merit.

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MATTER OF CHRISTOPHER
(Feb 13, 2001)