Trevisano v. Giordano

Mar 11, 1994
Versions:202 A.D.2d 1071
609 N.Y.S.2d 122

Order unanimously affirmed without costs. Memorandum: Defendants presented evidence sufficient to demonstrate that, at the death of plaintiffs grandparents in 1949 or 1950, title to the premises vested in their children as tenants in common (see, Kraker v Roll, 100 AD2d 424, 429). It is presumed that the exclusive possession of a co-tenant is not adverse to the other tenants. Exclusive possession alone is not the equivalent of an ouster (see, Perkins v Volpe, 146 AD2d 617, lv dismissed 74 NY2d 791). Although plaintiffs parents remained in possession in excess of 10 years, the expiration of the 10-year period merely triggers the possibility of adverse possession; it does not establish it (see, Matter of Kelley, 140 Misc 2d 876, 879). Adverse possession requires "very obvious and overt acts which unmistakably repudiate a non-possessory owner’s right by one possessing the property” (Matter of Kelley, supra, at 879). We do not find, upon this record, any evidence of such acts on the part of plaintiffs parents. We conclude, therefore, that Supreme Court properly granted summary judgment to defendants. (Appeal from Order of Supreme Court, Kings County, Golden, J. — Dismiss Complaint.) Present — Green, J. P., Balio, Fallon, Doerr and Boehm, JJ.