MBS Holdings I LLC v. Butler

MBS Holdings I LLC v Butler 2026 NY Slip Op 30719(U) February 24, 2026 Supreme Court, New York County Docket Number: Index No. 655954/2025 Judge: Emily Morales-Minerva Cases posted with a "30000" identifier, i.e., 2013 NY Slip Op 30001(U), are republished from various New York State and local government sources, including the New York State Unified Court System's eCourts Service. This opinion is uncorrected and not selected for official publication.

file:///LRB-ALB-FS¹/Vol1/ecourts/Process/covers/NYSUP.6559542025.NEW_YORK.001.LBLX000_TO.html[03/10/2026 3:⁴⁵:55 PM]

FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 02/27/2026 10:26 AM INDEX NO. 655954/2025 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 29 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 02/26/2026

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NEW YORK: PART 42M --------------------X MBS HOLDINGS I LLC D/B/A MBS HOLDINGS LLC INDEX NO. 655954/2025

Plaintiff, MOTION DATE 02/05/2026 -v- CLYDE BUTLER, MOTION SEQ. NO. 002

Defendant. DECISION+ ORDER ON MOTION ------------------X

The following e-filed documents, listed by NYSCEF document number (Motion 002) 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24,25,26,27 were read on this motion to/for GUARDIAN AD LITEM

APPEARANCES:

Goldberg Weprin Finkel Goldstein LLP, New York, New York (Amy Markel Scotto, Esq., of counsel) for plaintiff.

Green & Cohen, PC, New York, New York (Michael Ross Cohen, Esq., of counsel) for defendant.

HON. EMILY MORALES-MINERVA:

In this action, non-party movant GREEN & COHEN, PC (Michael

Ross Cohen, Esq., of counsel) moves, unopposed, by order to show

cause (motion sequence 02), pursuant to CPLR §§ 1201 and 1202,

for an order appointing a guardian ad litem for defendant CLYDE

BUTLER.

The order to show cause was returnable in Part 42M on

January 06, 2026, at 2:30 P.M. At the call of the calendar,

plaintiff MBS HOLDINGS I LLC D/B/A MBS HOLDINGS LLC appeared, by

65595412025 MBS HOLDINGS I LLC D/B/A MBS HOLDINGS LLC vs. BUTLER, CLYDE Page 1 of 6 Motion No. 002

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counsel, and non-party movant GREEN & COHEN, PC also appeared.

Defendant CLYDE BUTLER did not appear. For the reasons set

forth below, the Court grants the unopposed application in its

entirety.

"A person shall appear by [his or her] guardian ad litem

. if [he or she] is an adult incapable of adequately

prosecuting or defending his [or her] rights" (CPLR § 1201).

"CPLR § 1201 mandates that an adult incapable of adequately

prosecuting or defending his or her rights shall appear by his

or her guardian ad litem" (Brewster v John Hancock Mut. Life

Ins. Co., 280 AD2d 300 [1st Dept 2001] [emphasis added]). "When

counsel [becomes] aware of their client's incompetence, it [is]

incumbent upon counsel to move, pursuant to CPLR § 1202 (a) (3),

for appointment of a guardian ad litem to protect [their

client's] interests" (id.) .

Further, the guardian ad litem, prior to assuming his or

her duties, must submit to the court a written consent to the

appointment and an affidavit that demonstrates the ability to

pay any damages that his or her negligence or misconduct may

cause (see CPLR § 1202 [c] ["No order appointing a guardian ad

litem shall be effective until a written consent of the proposed

guardian has been submitted to the court together with an

affidavit stating facts showing his ability to answer for any

damage sustained by his negligence or misconduct"]; see also 239 655954/2025 MBS HOLDINGS I LLC D/B/A MBS HOLDINGS LLC vs. BUTLER, CLYDE Page 2 of& Motion No. 002

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East 79 th Owners Corp. v Ribler, 2023 WL 4847824, *1 [Sup Ct NY

Cnty 2023]).

Here, non-party movant's submissions establish that

defendant CLYDE BUTLER is incapable of adequately defending her

rights in this matter, and requires the appointment of a

guardian ad litem to protect her interests. Specifically, non-

party movant submits (1) the notarized affidavit of Josh Butler,

defendant's son, attesting that defendant has been diagnosed

with Alzheimer's disease, resides at a full-time assisted living

facility, and is unable to participate in the defense of this

action (see New York State Court Electronic Filing System

[NYSCEF] Doc. No. 21, notarized affidavit of Josh Butler); and

(2) the prior order appointing a guardian ad litem in the

previously litigated summary non-payment proceeding (see MES

Holdings LLC v Clyde Butler, Index No. LT-315488-23/NY, NYSCEF

Doc. Nos. 25 and 26, decision and order, dated July 22, 2024

[Civ Ct NY Cnty 2024]) . 1

Therefore, in consideration of the motion papers before

this Court and in the absence of any opposition, this Court

appoints Paul Mederos, Esq. as guardian ad litem for defendant

to safeguard her interests in this action. Paul Mederos, Esq.

is from the list of candidates established by the Chief

FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 02/27/2026 10:26 AM INDEX NO. 655954/2025 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 29 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 02/26/2026

FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 02/27/2026 10:26 AM INDEX NO. 655954/2025 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 29 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 02/26/2026

FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 02/27/2026 10:26 AM INDEX NO. 655954/2025 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 29 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 02/26/2026

appointment and an affidavit showing his ability to answer for

any negligence or misconduct; it is further

ORDERED that, within fifteen days after this decision and

order is uploaded to NYSCEF, non-party movant is directed to

serve a copy of this order with notice of entry upon plaintiff

and defendant CLYDE BUTLER, as well as on Paul Mederos, Esq.; it

is further

ORDERED that the parties shall appear for a virtual status

conference on March 30, 2026, at 12:00 P.M.; and it is further

ORDERED that the Clerk of Court shall mark the file

accordingly.

2/24/2026 DATE CHECK ONE: ~~~~~AJ(J NON-FINAL DISPOSITION CASE DISPOSED

GRANTED □ DENIED GRANTED IN PART □ OTHER APPLICATION: SETTLE ORDER SUBMIT ORDER CHECK IF APPROPRIATE: INCLUDES TRANSFER/REASSIGN FIDUCIARY APPOINTMENT □ REFERENCE

655954/2025 MBS HOLDINGS I LLC 0/B/A MBS HOLDINGS LLC vs. BUTLER, CLYOE Page& of6 Motion No. 002

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Footnotes

[1] The guardian ad litem appointed in the summary non-payment proceeding was not available for re-appointment in the instant action. 655954/2025 MBS HOLDINGS I LLC D/8/A MBS HOLDINGS LLC vs. BUTLER, CLYDE Page 3 of 6 Motion No. 002 [* 3] 3 of 6 Administrator of the Courts (Rules of Chief Judge [22 NYCRR] § 36.1 [a]; § 36.2 [a]), and qualifies under section 36.1 (a) (2). Further, Paul Mederos, Esq. has completed all curricula required by the Chief Administrator for appointment as guardian ad litem (see 22 NYCRR § 36.5). Paul Mederos, Esq. consents to the appointment and is financially able to answer for any damages due to misconduct or negligence in defending this matter (see CPLR § 1202 [c]). Before the next appearance, Paul Mederos, Esq. is directed to file written consent to the appointment and an affidavit showing his ability to answer for any negligence or misconduct (see CPLR § 1202 [c]). Paul Mederos, Esq., as appointed guardian ad litem, must also comply with the certification and reporting requirements of 22 NYCRR § 36.3 (a), (b), and (d). Accordingly, it is hereby ORDERED that the motion (seq. no. 02) of non-party movant GREEN & COHEN, PC to appoint a guardian ad litem for defendant CLYDE BUTLER pursuant to CPLR §§ 1201 and 1202, is granted, without opposition; it is further ORDERED that Paul Mederos, Esq., an attorney licensed to practice law in the State of New York with an office located at

[45] Rockefeller Plaza, Suite 2000, New York, New York 10111, is hereby appointed guardian ad litem on behalf of defendant CLYDE BUTLER in accordance with this decision and order; it is further 655954/2025 MBS HOLDINGS I LLC D/B/A MBS HOLDINGS LLC vs. BUTLER, CLYDE Page4 of 6 Motion No. 002 [* 4] 4 of 6 ORDERED that, pursuant to Section 36.1 of Part 36 of the Rules of the Chief Judge, the guardian ad litem shall be subject to said Part 36; it is further ORDERED that, by accepting this appointment, the guardian ad litem certifies that he is in compliance with Part 36, including Section 36.2 (d) ("Limitations on appointments based upon compensationn), but that, if he is disqualified from receiving such appointment pursuant to the provisions of Part 36, he shall notify this Court forthwith; it is further ORDERED that, by accepting this appointment, the guardian ad litem certifies that he is familiar with the duties and responsibilities of a guardian ad litem, has experience in such area, and is fully capable of assuming, and prepared to assume, those duties and responsibilities, which are commensurate with his abilities; it is further ORDERED that, pursuant to Section 36.1 (a) (10) of the Part 36 Rules of the Chief Judge, the guardian ad litem is not authorized to hire counsel, an accountant, auctioneer, appraiser, property manager, or real estate broker (secondary appointees) without further order of this Court, and that the guardian ad litem is not authorized to pay fees to any secondary appointee without further order of this Court; it is further ORDERED that, prior to the next court appearance, Paul Mederos, Esq. is directed to file a written consent to the 655954/2025 MBS HOLDINGS I LLC D/8/A MBS HOLDINGS LLC vs. BUTLER, CLYDE Page 5 of 6 Motion No. 002 [* 5] 5 of 6