In re the Appointment of a Committee of the Property of Von Bulow

OPINION OF THE COURT

Howard E. Bell, J.

Chemical Bank and C. Simms Farr, longtime advisors of Martha C. Von Bulow, have petitioned the court for a determination that Ms. Von Bulow is incompetent, and for the appointment of petitioners as cocommittee of such of her property not already held in trust.1 Claus Von Bulow, her husband, appearing for himself and their minor daughter, Cosima, opposes petitioners’ appointment on various grounds.

Ms. Von Bulow, who has been in a coma since December, 1980, is currently a patient at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center. In an affidavit submitted in support…