3 Johns. Ch. 367 | New York Court of Chancery | 1818
A decree cannot safely be obtained against an infant, upon the mere fact of taking the bill pro confesso, or upon an answer in form by-the guardian, ad litem. The answer in such cases generally is, that the infant knows nothing of the matter, and therefore, neither admits nor denies the charges, but leaves the plaintiff to prove them, as he shall be advised, and throws himself on the protection of the court. A decree upon such an answer would not bind the infant, and he could open it, or set it aside, when he comes of age. No laches can be imputed to an infant, and no valid decree can be awarded against him, merely by default. The plaintiff, in every such case, ought to prove his demand, either in court, or before a Master ; and the infant is usually entitled to a day to show’ cadse, when he comes of age.
- It was the ancient, and has been the settled practice of the court, that no decree should be made against an infant, without giving him a day (which was usually six months) after he comes of age, to show cause against it; (2 Vern. 232. 342. 2 P. Wms. 403.) and he is to be served with process of subpoena, for that purpose, on his coming of age. (Bingham on Infancy, p. 115.) But though in the case of a foreclosure of a mortgage, the infant has his six months to show cause, yet he cannot, then, be permitted
If, however, instead of foreclosing the. mortgage against the infant heir of the mortgagor, and thereby giving him a day after he comes of age, it be decreed, that the lands be sold to pay the mortgage debt, then it seems to be understood that the sale will bind the infant. (Booth v. Rich, 1 Vern. 295.) So if lands devised to be sold,- for payment of debts, be decreed to be sold, the infant has no day, after he comes of age, unless he be decreed to join in the sale. (2 Vern. 439.) The English practice, until lately, has been to foreclose, instead of selling the mortgaged premises. Thus, in Goodier v. Ashton, (18 Vesey, 83.) there was the usual decree of foreclosure against an infant, with a day to show cause, though it was then suggested to the court, that a decree for a sale would be more advantageous to the infant, as the estate might- be mortgaged for less than its value f and it was said to be the rule in Ireland to direct a sale in all cases, instead of a foreclosure. But the Master of the Bolls did not incline to malee1 such a precedent against the uniform practice. This course was,however, shortly afterwards, adopted by Lord Eldon, in Mondey v. Mondey (1 Vesey and Bea. 223.) who said, that if there was no precedent, (as he believed there was not,) he would then make one, and he directed an inquiry, whether it would be for the infant’s benefit, that the estate should be sold.
The practice, with us, has been to sel!, and not to foreclose, as well where infants, as where adults are concerned. I think this course must generally be most beneficial to the infant, as well as to the creditor; and there can
Every sale so decreed will be absolute, without any day to show cause.
The following order was entered.- “The plaintiff’s bill i of complaint in this cause having been taken pro confesso, against the defendants, &c. and this cause having this day been brought on to be heard, on the said bill so taken pro confesso, against the said defendants, and upon bill and answer, as to the above named defendants, Thomas Doty, jun. and Elbert Doty, who are infants: whereupon, after reading a notice of hearing of this cause, and admission of the due service thereof, by the guardian ad litem to the said defendants, Thomas Doty, jun. and Elbert Doty; and after reading the said bill and answer, and an affidavit of the solicitor for the plaintiff, proving the regularity of the proceedings in this cause, in taking the said bill pro confesso, against the above named de