1 Gibb. Surr. 239 | N.Y. Sur. Ct. | 1895
Tbis is an application by tbe public administrator for an examination of the respondent touching certain personal property in her possession, which be alleges upon information and belief belonged to tbe decedent. A citation and order having been granted and served upon her, tbe respondent appears and files a verified answer, claiming to be “ tbe owner of each and every item and article of property in said petition enumerated,” and thereupon asks, by virtue of the provisions
The proceedings for discovery by the public administrator •are regulated, where he is acting under letters of administration granted to him by the surrogate^ by the provisions of the Code. In re Elias, 4 Dem. 139. The purpose of these provisions is to enable the legal representative of an estate to obtain possession of property belonging to it which is withheld from him. Two classes of persons may be cited — those who have possession or control of the property in question, and who ■can therefore deliver it if required so to do, and those who only have knowledge or information concerning it. Section 2707, Code. If on the return day the person cited interposes a written answer, duly verified, that he is the owner of the property ■or entitled to its possession by virtue of a lien thereon or special property therein, the surrogate must dismiss the proceedings, as to such property so claimed. If no such claim is made as so provided, the examination must proceed. The result is that, where claim of title is interposed, the surrogate is ousted of jurisdiction, and cannot decide the question raised, the parties being remitted to another tribunal, wherein a jury trial or other proper and constitutional disposition of the issues may be had. If no claim is made to the title or possession of the property, a full inquiry is allowed for the purpose of ascertaining what knowledge or information the person cited has as to the property.
In this case the party comes before the court and files a written and verified answer, claiming absolute ownership of all the property in question. Under such circumstances, no examina
The proceedings are dismissed.