Ioannou v. New York

Mr. Justice Douglas,

with whom

Mr. Justice Black concurs, dissenting.

I think this appeal presents substantial federal questions and that jurisdiction should be noted.

Under § 269 of the New York Surrogate’s Court Act (now § 269-a) a Czechoslovakian beneficiary of a New York estate has been denied the power to make a gift of her interest in the estate to her niece residing in England. This result flows from a determination by the Surrogate’s Court of Bronx County that under its present government conditions are such in Czechoslovakia that it is unlikely the beneficiary would be able to enjoy her…