N.Y. Real Property Actions & Proceedings Law § 1012

§ 1012. Who may be joined as defendants. 1. In either of the cases\nspecified in section 1011, any other person claiming title to, or the\nright to the possession of, the real property in which dower is claimed\nmay be joined as defendant in the action.\n 2. The people of the state of New York may be made a party defendant\nin an action for dower where the people of the state of New York have an\ninterest in or a lien upon the lands affected thereby, in the same\nmanner as a private person. In such a case the summons must be served\nupon the attorney-general, who must appear in behalf of the people. But\nwhere the people of the state of New York are made a party defendant, as\nherein provided, the complaint shall set forth, in addition to the other\nmatters required, detailed facts showing the particular nature of the\ninterest in or the lien on the said real property of the people of the\nstate of New York and the reason for making the people a party\ndefendant. Upon failure to state such facts the complaint shall be\ndismissed as to the people of the state of New York.\n