11 USC § 362[a]

Castaldini v Walsh, 2018 NY Slip Op 07407 [2d Dept. 2018]

The plaintiffs commenced this action to recover damages for personal injuries allegedly sustained by the plaintiff Richard Castaldini at the defendants’ home. The defendant Gia Walsh was served by personal delivery of the summons and complaint (see CPLR 308[1]). The defendant David Walsh was served by delivery of the summons and complaint to Gia Walsh, follow-up mailing, and filing of proof of service with the Suffolk County Clerk (see CPLR 308[2]). The defendants moved to dismiss the complaint pursuant to CPLR 3211(a) on the ground that because Gia Walsh had filed a petition for bankruptcy, the automatic bankruptcy stay (see 11 USC § 362[a]) was in effect when service was effectuated, and the stay extended to preclude service upon David Walsh by delivery of the summons and complaint to Gia Walsh. The Supreme Court granted that branch of the motion which was to dismiss the complaint insofar as asserted against Gia Walsh, but denied that branch of the motion which was to dismiss the complaint insofar as asserted against David Walsh. The defendants appeal.

We agree with the Supreme Court that the defendants’ contention that 11 USC § 1301(a) precluded service upon David Walsh by delivery of the summons and complaint to Gia Walsh under CPLR 308(2) is without merit (cf. 11 USC §§ 362[a], 1301[a]).