US mother transfers property to son in 2003; court cancels deed after he refuses to return it

A New York appeals court on Wednesday upheld a ruling cancelling a 2003 property transfer after a mother, Josephine Catalano, took legal action against her son and daughter-in-law for refusing to return her property in Rockland County. Josephine had transferred ownership to the couple after her son verbally promised to give it back whenever she asked.

More than two decades later, the court ruled in her favour, finding that she had relied on her son's promise when transferring the property.According to the ruling, Josephine Catalano had transferred the property, located in Rockland County, New York, to her son, Carmine D. Catalano Jr., and his wife, Denise Catalano, in 2003.

However, she had kept the right to use the property during her lifetime. According to court records, Josephine agreed to transfer ownership because Carmine had verbally assured her that he would return it whenever she wanted.Although the property was legally transferred to her son and daughter-in-law, she maintained that the understanding between them was that she could ask for it back.