Sachs v. Dominguez - Guardianship Dispute
Summary
The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York granted a petition to vacate a prior order, reinstating Laura Ann Sachs and Allan Preston Sachs-Ambia as co-Guardians for an incapacitated person. The court also removed the current guardian and ordered the turnover of all records and funds.
What changed
The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, in Matter of Sachs v. Dominguez (2026 NY Slip Op 01327), has granted a petition to modify a guardianship order. The court vacated its prior order dated June 27, 2024, and reinstated Laura Ann Sachs and Allan Preston Sachs-Ambia as co-Guardians for H.M. a.k.a. H.A.M. Additionally, the court removed Laura M. Brancato, Esq. as Guardian, rescinded her commission, and directed her to transfer all medical, tax, and financial records, funds, and accounts related to the guardianship to the petitioners.
This decision has immediate practical implications for the parties involved. The court presiding over the underlying Article 81 Guardianship proceeding must implement these directives. The removal of the current guardian and the reinstatement of the original co-Guardians require prompt action to ensure the continuity of care and management of the incapacitated person's affairs. The order mandates the immediate turnover of all relevant records and funds, necessitating a swift transition to prevent any disruption or potential mismanagement.
What to do next
- Vacate the prior order dated June 27, 2024, concerning the guardianship of H.M. a.k.a. H.A.M.
- Reinstate Laura Ann Sachs and Allan Preston Sachs-Ambia as co-Guardians of the person and property of H.M. a.k.a. H.A.M.
- Remove Laura M. Brancato, Esq. as Guardian and direct the turnover of all guardianship records and funds.
Source document (simplified)
Jump To
Support FLP
CourtListener is a project of Free
Law Project, a federally-recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit. Members help support our work and get special access to features.
Please become a member today.
March 10, 2026 Get Citation Alerts Add Note
Matter of Sachs v. Dominguez
Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York
- Citations: 2026 NY Slip Op 01327
Docket Number: Appeal No. 5803; Case No. 2025-06069
Combined Opinion
Matter of Sachs v Dominguez (2026 NY Slip Op 01327)
| Matter of Sachs v Dominguez |
| 2026 NY Slip Op 01327 |
| Decided on March 10, 2026 |
| Appellate Division, First Department |
| Published by New York State Law Reporting Bureau pursuant to Judiciary Law § 431. |
| This opinion is uncorrected and subject to revision before publication in the Official Reports. |
Decided and Entered: March 10, 2026
Before: Kennedy, J.P., Scarpulla, Gesmer, Mendez, Hagler, JJ.
Appeal No. 5803|Case No. 2025-06069|
*[1]In the Matter Laura Ann Sachs, et al., Petitioners,
v
Hon. Denise M. Dominguez etc., et al., Petitioners, Laura M. Brancato et al., Respondents, H.M. also known as H.A.M., etc., Additional Respondent.**
Laura Ann Sachs and Allan Preston Sachs-Ambia, petitioners pro se.
Letitia James, Attorney General, New York (Miranda Onnen of counsel), for Hon. Denise M. Dominguez, respondent.
The above-named petitioners having presented an application to this Court praying for an order, pursuant to article 78 of the Civil Practice Law and Rules,
Now, upon reading and filing the papers in said proceeding, and due deliberation having been had thereon,
It is unanimously ordered that the application be and the same hereby is granted only to the extent that the court presiding over the underlying Article 81 Guardianship proceeding concerning H.M. a.k.a. H.A.M., an incapacitated person:
Shall vacate the Guardianship Court's order dated June 27, 2024, and reinstate Laura Ann Sachs and Allan Preston Sachs-Ambia as co-Guardians of the person and property of H.M. a.k.a. H.A.M.; and
Shall remove Laura M. Brancato, Esq. as Guardian of the person and property of H.M. a.k.a. H.A.M., rescind her Commission to act in such capacity and direct that she turn over to Petitioners all of the medical, tax and financial records, funds and accounts of the Guardianship; and the application is otherwise denied.
THIS CONSTITUTES THE DECISION AND ORDER OF THE SUPREME COURT, APPELLATE DIVISION, FIRST DEPARTMENT.
ENTERED: March 10, 2026
Related changes
Source
Classification
Who this affects
Taxonomy
Browse Categories
Get State Courts alerts
Weekly digest. AI-summarized, no noise.
Free. Unsubscribe anytime.
Get alerts for this source
We'll email you when New York Appellate Division publishes new changes.