Moore v. McLure

| Ala. | Nov 15, 1899

TYSON, J.

— There are two contentions insisted upon by the appellants in argument as to error committed by the chancellor in overruling their numerous grounds of demurrer assigned to the bill. The first is, that no fiduciary relation is shown by the bill to have existed between the complainants and the administrator at the time of the conversion of money belonging to them by him. The theory upon which this contention is based seems to be that when the probate court set apart one of the policies of insurance as exempt to the complainants, in lieu of the specific property exempt under section 2545 of the Code of 1886, and the one thousand dollar policy upon the destroyed dwelling in lieu of the additional personal property exempt under section 2546 of the Code of 1886, which were afterwards collected by him in his representative capacity, that in collecting the money from the insurance company upon these policies he was acting as an individual and not as administrator.

It appears that these policies Avere set apart to the complainants after grant of letters of administration upon the estate. Of necessity the $1,000 policy was in the hands of the administrator as an asset, of the estate, and continued as such, until segregated by the aetiofi of the court in setting them apart as exempt. — § 115 of Code of 1896 (§2068 Code of 1886). Under the provision of section 2547 of the Code of 1886, it was the duty of the administrator to deliver, to the widow of his intestate this policy. For his failure to perform his duty in this respect, James E. Moore was liable in his repre- • sentative capacity.

It does not follow, however, that because this is true, that the heirs of the estate, the other respondents to this bill, were bound by his tortious act in converting this policy into money and using it in the erection of a building upon a vacant lot belonging to him and them as joint tenants. He was without authority so far as appears from any averment in the bill to use this money of the complainants in his representative capacity to bind the heirs in erecting the building. He cannot he regarded, in the absence of an averment, that they participated in or otherwise abetted him in the tortious use of this money, as their agent or representative in improving the vacant lot, their joint property, so as to fasten a lien upon their interest in it. — Cannon v. Copeland, Admr., 43 Ala. 252" court="Ala." date_filed="1869-01-15" href="https://app.midpage.ai/document/cannon-v-copeland-6507653?utm_source=webapp" opinion_id="6507653">43 Ala. 252.

As to the policies of insurance upon the furniture and other household goods, specifically exempt to the complainants, the policy which was payable to the decedent, never became assets of the estate in the hands of John E. Moore as administrator. This specific property, exempt by section 2072, is excepted by section 115 from the personalty to be taken possession of by the administrator as property of the decedent. His assumption of the possession of this policy and of the other policy belonging to Mrs. Moore, the widow, must be regarded as his individual act and not as administrator. Por he Avas without authority as administrator to assume charge of, collect, and appropriate the money. As to this money he is liable individually; and his duty to deliver these policies to Mrs. Moore Avas that of an individual as distinguished from that of administrator.

So far as his rights are involved, it is matter of no consequence, whether his duty to the complainants grew out of his relations to these complainants as administra tor or as an individual.' If the complainants can trace their money into the house erected by him upon the lot OAvned by h'im jointly with others, a constructive trust arises which may be enforced in their favor upon his interest in the property. — 2 Pom. Eq. Jur., § 1047, et seq; 1 Beach on Trusts and Trustees, § § 229 et seq. And this is true as to the money arising from the policy converted by him as administrator. But as we have said above, to fasten a trust upon the interest of the other respondents in the property it must be shown that they participated witli him in the nse of the money belonging to complainants or that he was acting as their agent.

This brings'us to a consideration of the second contention of appellants as insisted upon in argument. It is, that the bill does not show complainants’ want of knowledge or Avant of consent to the use of the money. The bill does aver that “said AvidoAV and minor child did not know, at the time said building Avas being built and erected, that said insurance policies had been set apart to them as exempt from administration and the payment of debts of the estate of James C. Moore deceased.” It may be conceded that the averments of the. bill must negative the authorized use. The argument is made that the complainants Avere bound to knoAV that the policies of insurance Avere set apart by the appraisers as exempt, and therefore it must be conclusively presumed that they knew that the money arising therefrom Avas theirs. Perhaps, all this Avould be true, if the AvidoAV Avas shoAvn to have participated Avitli the appraisers avIio Avere appointed by the probate court to select and set apart, and who it is aArerred did select and - set apart these policies as exempt. But in the absence of such an averment Ave Avill not and cannot indulge the presumption that she or the other complainant participated in making the selection of the policies as exempt property. The record discloses that the appraisers Avere appointed on the same day the administrator Avas appointed. It may be and doubtless Avas true that the names of the AvidoAV and the other complainant, as Avell as their respective interest in the estate, were shoAvn by the petition filed for letters. By section 11S (2071) of the Code it is made the duty of the probate court, at the time of grant of letters to appoint three appraisers to make an appraisement of the estate of the decedent, etc. Under section 2078 (2548) AArhen a decedent, who Avas at the time of his death a resident of this State, leaves surviving him a AvidoAV and minor child or children or either, avIio are bona fide residents of this State, the probate court, at the time of appointing appraisers of the estate, shall issue a commission to them, stating the names of the AvidoAV and minor child or children or either, as the case may be, and the nature and extent of the personal property exempt in tlieir favor, and directing the appraisers to set apart the same. No provision is made for any personal notice to the Avidow or minor children of this proceeding and none is required. It is one of those .steps Avhicli the Iuav requires to he taken by the court in the process of administering estates, Avithout personal notice to any one, and without reference to Avhether the AvidoAV or minor child has any personal knowledge of the step being taken. It is only Avliere the Avidow or minor child or children or other person in interest feeling aggrieved files Avritten exceptions to the report of the appraisers AAdthin thirty days after its filing that personal notice to the adverse parties is required to be given. — Code, § 2084.

It is inconceivable to our mind how the complainants can be said to have knoAvn of or consented to the use of their money, if they did not knoAV that the policies out of Avhich the money arose, had been set apart to them as exempt. Actual knowledge of the facts must exist in order to infer consent or acquiescence in the Avrong done. And it Avill not be presumed in the absence of some peculiar relations shoAvn to exist between the parties Avhich hvould justify such inference. We are of the opinion that the averment is sufficient.

It appears that the demurrer interposed by all the respondents except John E. Moore should have been sustained; and that the demurrer interposed by him Avas properly OArerruled.

A decree Avill be here entered affirming the decree as against appellant John E. Moore, taxing him Avith the cost of the appeal, and reversing the decree OAmrruling the demurrer of the other appellant and sustaining it. LeaAre, hoAvever, will be granted complainants to amend their, bill Avithin thirty days if they are so advised.

Affirmed in part and in part reversed, rendered and remanded.