51 Vt. 538 | Vt. | 1879
The opinion of the court was delivered by
The material facts confessed by the demurrer are, that the orator and his brother, since deceased, as partners, had a claim against the estate of David H. Sumner, of which the late B. H. Steele was executor; that they presented it to the commissioners for allowance, and the estate presented a counter claim ; that some portions of the claims which rested in account had n.ot been fully and definitely ascertained at the time of the last session of the commissioners, and, that the return of their report to the Probate Court might not be delayed, at the request of the executor and on his promise to adjust with them the balance due on their claim and to pay the same, they withdrew their claim from the commissioners, who thereupon made their report to the Probate Court; that subsequently they adjusted the claim with the executor, and he gave his note as such executor for the balance
I. Did this promise of the executor bind the estate ? It is entirely clear that it did not. The estate was represented as insolvent. By the provisions of the statute, in such cases all claims against the estate not presented to and allowed by the commissioners — with certain exceptions in which the orator’s claim is not included — are absolutely barred. The claims thus allowed and returned to the Probate Court form the basis for the distribution of the estate. The executor or administrator has no authority or right to adjust or allow any claim against such estates, nor to waive the operation by the statute bar. To allow him any such fight or authority, would throw the settlement of such estates into the greatest confusion and uncertainty. The Probate Court would never have any certain basis on which to make distribution of the estate. The statute bar is interposed, not in the interest and for the protection of the executor or administrator, but in the interest and for the protection of such creditors as have legally proved their claims, and of others who are pecuniarily interested in the settlement and distribution of the estate, as well as for expedition and certainty in arriving at a final settlement of the estate. The authority cited by the orator, 8 Redf. Wills, 313,' 314, is not in conflict with this view. It is there said : “ But the
II. The facts conceded by the demurrer do not show that the orator has been placed in this position by any fraud, accident, or mistake of fact, but rather by his own voluntary act. He obtained, and has received for the withdrawal of the claim from the consideration of the commissioners, just what he bargained for, the promise of the executor that he would adjust the claims with them, and pay the balance found due. That they were mistaken in regard to the.binding effect of the executor’s promise upon the estate, is wholly a mistake of law, against which equity will not relieve the orator. McDaniels v. Bank of Rutland, 29 Vt. 231. The orator and his brother were bound to know the law. It was
The decree of the Court of Chancery dismissing the bill is affirmed, and the cause remanded.