Huddleston v. Perryman & Co.

43 So. 807 | Ala. | 1907

McCLELLAN, J.

Perryman & Co. brought their bill in the chancery court of Jefferson county against AAr. W. Montgomery, a non compus mentis, praying'the correction of descriptions in certain conveyances. In regular course of proceedings a guardian ad litem was appointed to represent and protect the rights and interest of the respondent Montgomery. On demurrer the hill was finally dismissed. There was no fund of the respondent, as far as we are advised, involvel in the cause. The guardian ad litem, in his individual capacity, filed his petition, asking that compensation for his services as such guardian ad litem be ascertained and ordered paid as should be done. Accordingly, a reference was had before the register, of which no notice to the non compus appears to have been given, and the reasonable amount of his compensation was found to he $150. The chancellor declined to include that sum in the bill of costs taxed against the unsuccessful complainants, hut did adjudge such sum due from the estate of Montgomery. The guardian ad litem appears, and assigns as error the refusal of the court to adjudge such sum as a part of the costs against Perryman & Co., and also the determination of the liability of the estate of the ward therefor.

The petition, to which the decree in a measure? responds, if its presence in the cause may he justified al all, which wo do not decide, instituted a proceeding adverse. to the non compus mentis and his estate; and that by the same person to whom the court had committed the protection in the case of the rights and interest of the ward. Clearly, the petitioner could not press his oto alleged right to compensation for his services in the premises and at the same time appear in behalf of the ward. Furthermore, it is not allowable in this state to proceed to judgment or decree affecting the person or estate of a non compus mentis or an infant, unless he is represented in the. proceeding by guardian ad litem appointed.-—Hibbler v. Sprowl, 71 Ala. 50; Griffith v. Ventress, 91 Ala. 366, 8 South. 312, 11 L. R. A. 193, 24 Am. St. Rep. 918; Woods v. Montevallo Co., 107 Ala. 364, 18 South. 108. This respondent was not so represented in the proceeding begun by the petition, an.d tin? decree in that respect cannot be sustained.

As to the other phase of the decree, we are of the opinion, and so hold, that the refusal of the chancellor to tax the sum found, as reasonable compensation for tlie services rendered by tlie guardian act litem, was proper. Section 1325 of the Code of 1896 provides that tlie “successful party in all civil actions is entitled to full costs,” and judgment therefor must be rendered unless otherwise directed by law. Section 851 provides that “costs may be apportioned at the discretion of the chancellor.” Section 1353 provides that the law of fees and costs are penal, and “no .fee must be demanded or received, except in cases expressly authorized by law.” In our view, the whole subject of fees and costs is governed by statute; and no cost or fee can be taxed against or in favor of any party in a cause or proceeding unless expressly authorized by 'law. Diligent search has not rewarded us with any statutory authority for the allowance, in an adversary litigation, of a guardian ad litem’s compensation as an element of taxable cost. Certainly, before such compensation can pass into judgment against the unsuccessful litigant, warrant in the statute must be found.

It seems to have been held by highly respectable courts and announced by eminent text-writers that in many respects a prochein ami and a guardian ad litem are officers of court, appointed to enforce, preserve, and protect the rights and interests of persons under disability.—Sharp v. Findley, 59 Ga. 729; Story, Eq. PI. §§ 57, 70; 10 Ency. Pl. & Pr. p. 616, and notes. But we are unable to see. liow this status of the representative of the ward can afford any ground for the imposition on an unsuccessful litigant of his compensation for services rendered, for the all-sufficient reason that such compensation is not cost under our statutes. That the ward’s estate, in a proper forum and proceeding, is liable to the. guardian ad litem for his reasonable compensation, we apprehend there can be no doubt. Whether that compensation shall include his services as attorney or solicitor is doubtless another question.

The decree is corrected, so as to eliminate from it the confirmation of the report of the. register and its judgment against the estate of Montgomery in favor of the guardian ad litem as such, or individually, and, as thus corrected, is affirmed. Appellant will be taxed with the costs oí this appeal.

Corrected and affirmed.

Tyson, C. J.„ and Dowdell and Anderson, J-J., 'concur.