In Re Estate of Sizick

Summary

The Court held that Jerome Sizick’s death did not moot the appeal because reinstatement of the protective order could affect pending Medicaid proceedings and produce retroactive benefits for his estate. It further held that a probate court may consider the prospective availability of Medicaid benefits when assessing the spouses’ respective needs before DHHS makes an eligibility determination. Applying that rule, the Court reinstated the 2022 protective order, concluded that any asset-valuation error was harmless, and remanded for further proceedings.