In Re the Judicial Settlement of the Accounts of Worthington

141 N.Y. 9 | NY | 1894

This appeal has been taken from an order of the General Term affirming an order of the surrogate refusing to open and modify a decree entered upon the final judicial settlement of the accounts of the surviving executors of the will of Henry R. Worthington, deceased.

The appellant claims no other interest in the estate of the decedent than that derived from an assignment by one of the executors of his commissions. This executor was subsequently declared a lunatic and removed for mental incapacity, and died before the remaining executors had rendered an account. The executrix of the removed and deceased executor was made a party to the accounting, and the surrogate rendered a decree in which it was, among other things, adjudged that the removed executor was not entitled to commissions because he took no part in the management of the estate, or in the making and keeping of the accounts of the executors. The appellant was not cited nor heard in this proceeding, and we think it is clear that he had no such vested title, either legal or equitable, to any share or interest in the assets or property of the estate to be distributed upon the accounting or affected by it, as conferred upon him the right to be made a party to the proceeding or to be heard upon the settlement and entry of the decree. It may be conceded that the assignment of the commissions was made for a good consideration and that the removed executor had actively participated for many years in the management and administration of the estate, and that his representatives were, therefore, entitled to some consideration upon the final allowance of commissions by the surrogate. The difficulty in the way of the appellant is of another kind. Until ascertained and liquidated at the times and in the manner authorized by law, the commissions are not subject to the executor's disposal, but the right to them is inchoate, and upon grounds of public policy unassignable. There is no fundamental distinction in this respect between public and private trusts, where the statute fixes the compensation and prescribes that it shall not become due and payable until the services have been rendered, or at stated periods during the term of service. It is well settled that a public officer cannot, during his official term, and before his salary or fees become due and payable, make a valid assignment of such salary or fees. (Bliss v. Lawrence, 5 N.Y. 442;Bowery Nat. Bk. v. Wilson, 122 id. 478.) It is believed that the efficiency of the service to be rendered depends upon the enforcement of such a rule. If the emoluments of the office might be separated from it and transferred to another, it would leave the duties of the office as a barren charge to be borne by the incumbent. It is evident that transfers of this kind would not tend to promote activity and care in the discharge of official obligations. The same considerations forbid the recognition of an assignment by an executor of his commissions in advance of the time prescribed by law for their adjustment and payment. When the hope of compensation is gone, a strong incentive to diligence and zeal is wanting, and the temptation to be content with a lax or perfunctory administration of the trust becomes more persuasive.

As the appellant failed to establish a valid title to any interest in the estate of the decedent, we are not required to consider the other questions discussed upon the argument of the appeal.

The order of the General Term must be affirmed, with costs.

All concur, except BARTLETT, J., not sitting.

Order affirmed.