A New York mother won a 23-year property dispute against her son and daughter-in-law. (AI image)
A New York appeals court on Wednesday upheld a ruling cancelling a 2003 property transfer after a mother, Josephine Catalano, took legal action against her son and daughter-in-law for refusing to return her property in Rockland County. Josephine had transferred ownership to the couple after her son verbally promised to give it back whenever she asked. More than two decades later, the court ruled in her favour, finding that she had relied on her son’s promise when transferring the property.
Catalano Jr., and his wife, Denise Catalano, in 2003. She asked the court to cancel the 2003 deed and restore her rights over the property. On November 21, 2024, the judge ruled in Josephine’s favour.
Josephine agreed to transfer ownership because Carmine had verbally assured her that he would return it whenever she wanted, according to court records. Because of her son’s promise, the court found that she had provided strong and convincing evidence showing that the property had been transferred.
Josephine Catalano had transferred the property, located in Rockland County, New York, to her son, Carmine D, according to the ruling . However, she had kept the right to use the property during her lifetime. The disagreement arose when Josephine eventually asked the couple to return the property. They refused, prompting her to take legal action. Josephine approached a court in Rockland County, arguing that her son had failed to honour the understanding on which she had transferred the property. She wanted the court to recognise that the couple should not be allowed to keep ownership after refusing to fulfil the promise that had led her to transfer it in the first place. The court heard the case without a jury, meaning a judge examined the evidence and decided the outcome.