In re the Appointment of a Guardian of Person & Property of Spingarn

OPINION OF THE COURT

Lorraine S. Miller, J.

Claire Spingarn (Claire) is a 95-year-old remarkable woman, who has lived alone since the death of her third husband several years ago. She has substantial assets, consisting of high grade stocks and bonds (many are municipal issues in "bearer” form).

Her small, rent-stabilized apartment is in an upper East Side luxury building. Meals are delivered by "Meals on Wheels” during the week which she supplements by frequenting the local restaurants. She takes her laundry to the local laundromat and has been relatively self-sufficient. Despite her wealth, she…