Philips v. Sleusher

3 Pin. 457 | Wis. | 1852

WhitoN, C. J.

The property which is the subject of controversy in this action, having been devised to the plaintiff be low, it is contended that she is entitled to the possession of it, at least until it shall be ascertained that it will be necessary to resort to it for the purpose of raising money to pay the debts of the deceased. But our statute is conclusive in favor of the contrary doctrine. R. S., ch. 69, secs. 1, 2, 6 and 7. It appears to us that the claim set up by the plaintiff below is entirely inconsistent with the rights and duties of the executors. They were required by law to make and return into the probate court a true inventory of the real estate, and of all the goods, chattels, rights and credits of the deceased which should come to their possession or knowledge ; and they were obliged to apply, in the first place, the goods and chattels, rights and credits to the payment of the debts, and the expenses of administration, and if they were not sufficient, then to sell the real estate for that purpose; and the seventh section of chapter sixty-nine, above referred to, expressly gives them the right to the possession of the property. We do not see, therefore, what right the plaintiff below can have to interfere with the possession of the defendants. The devise of the property to her could not free it from liability to be sold for the payment of the debts of the deceased, nor in the least affect the rights of the executors to the possession.

But it is said that the devise to the plaintiff below was conditional, and that, complying with tbe condition, sbe acquired tbe right to take possession of the property and retain it until it was ascertained that the other personal estate was insufficient to pay the debts. It appears that the devise to tbe plaintiff was upon this condition, viz : “ Further the gifts and devise by this my will to Caroline Sleusher and bequest is, upon the condition that if she shall furnish to my executors a relinquishment of all claims or demands against my estate for borrowed money, she shall receive the benefit of the aforesaid devise and bequest, otherwise to be null and void so far as regards her.” It appears further that she did comply with the condition annexed to the devise, by relinquishing to the executors all claim upon the estate for borrowed money. We do not see how this can effect the question involved in this suit. ‘

We are not determining whether it would be the duty of the executors to sell the other personal property to pay the debts of the deceased, before resorting to this, nor what would be the effect of the relinquishment of the claim for borrowed money, in case the property devised to the plaintiff should be taken to pay the debts. The simple question is, who is entitled to the possession of the property pending the settlement of the estate ? And this section of the revised statutes settles this beyond controversy.

There can be no doubt that upon the facts stated in the bill of exceptions, the executors were authorized and required to take possession of the property, and that the plaintiff cannot maintain this action. The judgment of the county court must therefore be reversed.