Gladson v. Whitney

9 Iowa 267 | Iowa | 1859

Wright, C. J.

This bill was filed in the District Court, and the object of it is to remove a cloud upon the title to certain lands, and to subject them to the payment of the intestate’s debts. We are not advised upon what ground the bill was dismissed in the court below, but we suppose it to have been upon the general one, that it did not make a case entitling complainant to the relief sought. Upon one ground, at least, to say nothing of others, we think this ruling was right. Appellant concedes, and in his argument cites authorities to show that an administrator has nothing to do with the real estate, or to interfere with the title, except as it is wanted for the benefit of creditors, or to pay debts. And this rule is fatal to his bill.

To give him this right he must make a full statement of the claims against the estate, and a like account of the disposition made of the personalty. No order can be made upon the subject until all persons interested are properly notified. Code, section 1342-4. The bill in tins case fails to show anything of the kind. It is true that it is stated that decedent was in debt to the amount of about four hundred dollars, and that these debts remain unpaid. But notwithstanding the administrator was appointed eight months before filing the bill, it is not shown what these claims are, who they are owing to, nor that one dollar had ever been presented to the county court, or complainant, for allowance, nor that any sum had been allowed. And while the administrator is excused from showing the disposition made of the personalty, if none is found, its existence should be more clearly negatived than is done in this case. It is “ averred that there are no assets belonging to the estate, which are now tangible, out of which the claims against the estate may be paid;” an averment -which is very far from being sufficient to justify the court in giving the administrator power to interfere with the realty; not only so, but the heirs (and we are bound to presume their existence,) are not made parties. They are parties directly interested, and no decree could be made, as prayed, until they were brought in; for this reason, therefore, we think the bill was very properly dismissed.

It is suggested that the respondents (the one to whom decedent conveyed and the one now holding the title,) are willing that the decree should be made as prayed. This does not appear from the records. If it be true, however, that they are thus willing, wc cannot conceive why complainant should appeal to the courts, to compel parties to do that which they are (according to his argument,) both able and willing to perform.

Decree affirmed.