96 Ga. 524 | Ga. | 1895
We find it unnecessary to discuss the various questions presented by the motion for a new trial. So far as any questions of fact are involved, the finding was manifestly right, and the law of the case is absolutely controlled by the propositions announced in the first head-note.
Section 4043 of the code provides that an applicant for dower shall give written notice to the representative of the estate, unless she be herself the representative, in which event she must, by publication, give notice to the person or persons interested. In a case where she is not the representative, the only person to be notified is the one who is the representative. In Carter v. Davis, 40 Ga. 300, Judge McCay remarked that: “ As the administrator is the party served, and represents all the interests, the usual course is to trust the defense of the proceedings to him.” Although the law, as laid down in . section 4046 of the code, allows all persons interested in the estate (among whom, of course, are included the heirs and creditors) the right to be heard when an application for dower has been filed, it makes no provision whatever for service upon them, save only when the . widow herself is the legal representative. The reason for .giving them an opportunity to be heard at all is doubtless that suggested by Judge McCay in the case cited
In the present case, the attack upon the judgment allowing the widow’s dower in money instead of land, so far as mere irregularities in the proceedings are concerned, came too late ; and there was no sufficient evidence to warrant a findibg of such fraud or collusion as