70 So. 258 | Ala. | 1915
There is no matter of “inclusive equitable cognizance” set forth in the bill as last amended. As respects the feature of the bill whereby a right to equity’s action to compel a discovery of withheld or concealed assets is sought to be averred, this court, in Shackelford v. Bankhead, supra, and in Dolan v. Dolan, supra, long since ruled that the jurisdiction of the probate courts was entirely adequate to serve the purposes of discovery and redress in such cases. The existence of this jurisdiction — adequate to discover all the assets of an estate in the hands of, or that have been received by, executors or administrators — necessarily negatives the presence of an essential feature of a sufficient bill, which discloses no other ground for equitable action, for discovery, and for relief, viz., the inadequacy of legal remedies. — Wolfe v. Underwood, 96 Ala. 329, 332, 11 South. 344; V. & A. Mining Co. v. Hale, 93 Ala. 542, 9 South. 256; Shackelford v. Bankhead, supra.
The decree must be reversed for the error committed in dismissing the bill as last amended without providing an opportunity for complainant to amend it, if so advised.
Reversed and remanded.