14 N.Y.S. 177 | N.Y. Sup. Ct. | 1891
The account affected by the order was filed by the executor pursuant to an order of the surrogate, made under subdivision 4 of section 2723 of the Code of Civil Procedure. That empowered the surrogate, by an order, to require an intermediate account to be rendered, when 18 months have elapsed since the letters were issued, and no special proceedings were pending for a judicial settlement of the accounts of the executor: and the facts in this case brought it within this provision of the Code. The executor, in compliance with the order of the surrogate, filed his account in detail, commencing with the 3d of May, 1881, and ending on the last day of December, 1889. It was verified by the oath of the executor, and stated the receipts and expenditures of the executor, showing a balance in his hands amounting to the sum of $954.64. No objection to its correctness was made by any one, and no person was cited, or ordered to appear, either to examine or secure its settlement. But the surrogate, at his own instance, directed its examination by a referee; and the appeal depends upon the question whether he was vested with that authority. It was no part of the proceeding, as that has been authorized, to investigate or settle the account, and no parties were before the surrogate to be affected in any manner by its examination; and, if it should be made, it would be attended with no effect whatever, and would conclude no one; but it would be a wholly useless proceeding, which the Code has not provided for. The object of the account is to disclose “the acts of the person accounting, and the condition of the estate or fund in his hands, and not made the subject of a judicial settlement.” Subdivision 9, § 2514, Code Civil Proe. The last clause of the subdivision discloses the fact that it is no part of the accounting to obtain a settlement of the account; for it is only where a proceeding for the settlement is not pending that the intermediate account may be ordered. And the condition of the estate is expected to appear from the account itself. That is its object, and when the account is placed on-file that object has been accomplished; and it can be made no more effectual; by an examination and report upon the account by a referee. The executor is bound to file a complete account, and when that has been done all the information has been obtained whicli the law has intended by this proceeding to secure. It is to create a record of the condition of the estate, and, when that has been made, the power conferred has been executed. The case is not within section 2546 of the Code, which expressly provides for a reference to-examine an account rendered; for that power has been delegated to be used', in a special proceeding, and that proceeding is to be commenced in the'surrogate’s court by a citation, when not otherwise specially prescribed by law.. There is no special provision designating the order for the intermediate account to be such a special proceeding; and as no citation could be issued to obtain the account, but it was to be secured by an order alone, it follows that.
Van Brunt, P. J., concurs in result. Lawrence, J., concurs.
