In re the Estate of Leland

159 N.Y.S. 533 | N.Y. Sur. Ct. | 1916

Fowler, S.—

Some of the legatees under the will of the testator have filed objections to the issuance of letters testamentary to Timothy M. Oheesman, who is named as executor in the will. The objecting legatees allege that Mr. Oheesman is physically and mentally incapable of performing the duties of executor. Issue having been joined on this point, the objectants make this application for an order in accordance with the provisions of section 873 of the Code directing Mr. Cheesman to submit to a physical and mental examination and designating certain physicians to make such examination.

Assuming that section 873 of the Code is made applicable to the Surrogate’s Court by section 2770 (which T do not decide), the right to a physical examination of a party before trial is limited by that section to an -action brought to recover damages. for personal injuries. Therefore, that part of the application which asks for an order directing the physical examination of Mr. Cheesman must be denied. .Section 2564 of the Code specifies the various cause® which render a person incompetent to receive letters testamentary, but physical infirmity is not one of the disqualifications mentioned in that section. The only -objection, therefore, that remains to- be tried is the one alleging “ want of understanding.”

To sustain this objection it will be necessary for the ■objectants to prove upon the trial of that issue that Mr. Chessman lacks the understanding necess-ary to a proper performance of the duties of executor. His examination before trial upon the issue of his lack of understanding would necessarily be limited to his own- testimony as to his mental capacity. But if the objectants wish to prove by Mr. Oheesman himself that he lacks mental capacity, this may be done upon the trial of the issue before me just as effectively and as expeditiously as upon a separate examination before the trial. The cases hold that an examination before trial will only be allowed when it is alleged that the testimoney is necessary to the moving’ party’s case or defense and that he" intends to offer it on the trial. (Dudley v. New York Filter Mfg. Co., 80 App. Div. 164 ; Rogers v. Adler, 137 id. 197.) Unless Mr. Cheesman testified in the examination before trial that he lacked the mental capacity necessary for the proper performance of the duties of an executor, the moving parties could not .be expected to use his testimony on the trial, and as Mr. Cheesman has denied the allegations, contained in the objections, and is desirous of qualifying as an executor, it is extremely improbable that he would testify to his own “ want of understanding.” It is therefore manifest that if the objeetants expect to succeed on the trial of the issue as to Mr. Cheesman’s mental capacity, they would not use on such trial •the testimony given by him in his examination before trial.

I think, therefore, that as it does not appear from the moving papers that the testimony of Mr. Cheesman, if taken before the trial, would be used upon the trial of the issue raised by the objections, and' that as an examination of Mr. Cheesman as to his mental capacity can be conducted as effectively before me on the trial of the issues raised .by the objections as on an examination before trial under section 873 of the Code, the application should be and it is denied. I will try the issue raised by the objections and answer on June 12, 1916.

Application denied.