Ruth v. Oberbrunner

40 Wis. 238 | Wis. | 1876

Lead Opinion

Cole, J.

The learned counsel for the defendants insist that the judgment of the circuit court awarding the property described in the complaint to the plaintiffs, is erroneous on two grounds: First, because the devise made by M. Thomasina Ginker in her will was for a charitable use or purpose, and was valid by the laws of this state; and second, because the judgment of the probate court giving a construction to the will and assigning the real estate absolutely in fee simple to the defendants, to be owned and held by them in common, share and share alike, is conclusive on the plaintiffs, and all other persons having or claiming any interest in the estate of the testatrix at the-time that judgment was rendered.

The first inquiry then is, Can this devise be sustained under the laws of this state? The question is new in this state; is of vital importance as affecting the law of charitable uses and trusts; and is surrounded with great difficulty, in whatever aspect it is considered. On the part of the defendants it is claimed and insisted, that the devise is to a charitable use or purpose, and is legal and valid. In support of this view it is forcibly argued, that the devise is to trustees who are natural persons capable of taking and holding the estate for the benefit of the beneficiaries named; that the trust is so expressed and defined that it can be enforced by a court without resort to the ey pres doctrine exercised by the English court of chan-eery, or without invoking the aid of any prerogative power or jurisdiction except such as is of a purely judicial nature. The cestui que trusts or beneficiaries, it is said, are a well ascertained body or society of individuals, whose rights as such are and will ever remain a proper subject of easy and accurate judicial inquiry and determination — the existence of the order of St. Dominican and St. Catharine’s Female Academy of the city of Eacine being a matter of general notoriety, so spoken of in the will of the testatrix, and so appearing from the evidence in the cause. The devise, therefore, is not like an undefined gift to charity where there is no trustee, nor any designated cestui que trust, which the courts in this country, and especially the courts of New York, have refused to uphold and execute. But it is precisely such a charitable use and trust as the courts of that state, notwithstanding the statute of uses and trusts, have sustained and enforced, and will continue to protect and enforce, unless the doctrine of the earlier decisions of the court of. appeals relating to charitable uses is to be looked upon as overruled by a decision of very recent date. Some high and most respectable adjudications in New York are cited by counsel in support of this position; but it must be admitted that the decisions and reasoning of judges of much eminence, in other cases in that state, have raised grave doubts as to the accuracy of the earlier decisions. The question, too, has been somewhat embarrassed by the different views entertained in regard to the origin of equity jurisdiction over charities; some holding that it was almost' entirely founded on the statute of 43 Eliz., while others claim that this statute “ was not introductory of any new principles, but was only a new and less dilatory and expensive method of establishing charitable donations, which were understood to be valid by the laws antecedently in force.” Denio, J., in Williams v. Williams, 8 N. Y., 525-542. Mr. Spence, in his work on Equitable Jurisdiction (vol. 1, p. 587), while speaking on this subject, observes that “ where gifts of personal estate were made by act inter vimos, to persons capable of taking, for definite charitable purposes or uses, and where lands, or the use of lands, were by deed or will directed to be applied for the like purposes, the court of chancery, apparently under its general power to enforce the performance of trusts, entertained jurisdiction of trusts of this description equally as of private trusts. Where there was no trustee, or where there was a trustee and the trust was indefinite, as for the poor generally, if applications to the court of chancery were ever made and sustained, as some high authorities have maintained, it must have been at the instance of some person on behalf of the king as parens patries; but there is no memorial, at least amongst the records that have yet been published, or to be discovered from the searches that have been made in the repertories of the court, of any information on behalf of the crown to the court of chancery for such a purpose before the time of Elizabeth.” He closes his remarks by saying: “ There was nothing to exclude the court of chancery from exercising its authority under its general jurisdiction for compelling trustees properly constituted to apply the rents and profits of charity estates according to the trust reposed in them. It seems, however, that no bill could have been sustained to establish a charity which was void at law for want of sufficient devisee, prior to the statute 43 Eliz.”

We have alluded to this question because it was so ably discussed in the argument of this and another cause before us for decision, though the view which we have taken of the case renders it unnecessary to consider whether the law of charities had its origin in that statute or not. But were it otherwise, we could not possibly add anything to a discussion which has already been exhausted on both sides, and in which some of the greatest lawyers and judges have been engaged. 2 Story’s Eq. Jur., ch. 32; 2 Kent, 363 et seq.; Vidal et al. v. Girard’s Ex'rs, 2 How. (U. S.), 127; Fontain v. Ravenel, 17 id., 369; Williams v. Williams, supra; Owens v. Missionary Society, 14 N. Y., 380; Beekman v. Bonsor, 23 id., 298, 575; Levy et. al. v. Levy et. al., 33 id., 97; Bascom v. Albertson, 34 id., 584; Holmes et al. v. Mead, 52 id., 332. It may be admitted tbat tliis devise would be sustained in England, and by some courts in tliis country where the doctrine of ey pres prevails. But the concession does not obviate or remove the serious objections taken to it under our statutes. By sec. 1, ch. 84, E. S., it is enacted “ that uses and trusts, except as authorized and modified in this chapter, are abolished; and every estate and interest in lands shall be deemed a legal right, cognizable as such in the courts of law, except when otherwise provided in this title.” By the next two sections, every estate held as a use was confirmed as a legal estate, and any person who, by virtue of any grant or devise, was entitled to the actual possession of lands and the receipt of the rents and profits thereof in law or equity, must be deemed to have a legal estate therein of the same quality and duration and subject to the same conditions as his beneficial interest. And section 5 provides that every disposition of lands, whether by deed or devise, shall be directly to the person in whom the right to the possession and the profits shall be intended to be vested, and not to any other to the use of or in trust for such person, and if made to one person for the use of another, except as otherwise provided in the chapter, no estate or interest, legal or equitable, shall vest in the trustee.

The language in the first section is sufficiently comprehensive and explicit to embrace all uses and trusts in lands; and the question is, Does it not include charitable uses and trusts in lands ? If so, no .charitable use or trust is valid which does not come within the statutory requirements. Whether the case before us conforms to these requirements, will be subsequently considered. The inquiry now is, whether there is any ground, in view of the well settled rides of construction, for introducing an exception in the statute, and for holding that it does not include charitable uses and trusts in lands. “ Uses and trusts, excejDt as authorized and modified in this chapter, are abolished.” These are the words the legislature has used in enacting the law. They are plain, broad and explicit. They apply to all trusts and uses. What right has the court to restrict the application of the language; to narrow its meaning, and say that charitable trusts and uses are not included 2 It is a cardinal rule in the interpretation of a statute, to ascertain the intention of the legislature which enacted it. This intent is to be inferred from the language used. And when the legislature declares that uses and trusts, except as authorized and modified by the statute, are abolished, it must be assumed that the legislature meant what it plainly expressed; and consequently courts have no fight to introduce an exception. Courts have nothing to do with the policy of the statute. Even if meritorious trusts fail because the instruments attempting to create them are defective for not complying with statutory provisions, this cannot change the rule of construction. The legislature has spoken; it has used words which include public and charitable trusts and uses, as well as private trusts; and the intent of the legislature must prevail. The statute was evidently an attempt on the part of the legislature to revise and codify the law of uses and trusts; including, it would seem, within clearly prescribed regulations, charitable uses as well as other trusts, in order that a complete system might exist, “ adapted to the condition of our people and the nature of our institutions.” We must therefore hold that all trusts, except those specifically authorized and saved by the subsequent provisions of chapter 84, are abolished by the first section. This result fully accords with the rule recognized by this court, that a statute which revises the subject matter of a former statute works a repeal thereof, without express words to that effect. Lewis, Gov., v. Stout et al., 22 Wis., 234.

Our statute of uses and trusts is mainly copied from the statute of New York on the same subject. A great diversity of opinion has prevailed in the courts of that state 'on the question whether charitable uses were included in its provisions. In Potter v. Chapin, 6 Paige, 640-650, decided in 1837, there is a strong intimation by the chancellor that under the revised statutes a devise of real estate could only be made to a person capable of holding the same for the purposes of the charity, and that “ all general trusts are abolished.” It was not necessary, however, in that case to decide the question. In Shotwell, Executor, etc., v. Mott et al., 2 Sandf. Ch., 46, decided in 1844, Yice-Ohancellor SaNDKObd held that the article of uses and trusts only related to private trusts, and that public trusts and charitable uses were excepted from its provisions. One consideration which seems to have had influence on the mind of the vice-chancellor and led him to this conclusion, was the fact that the revisers, in their notes accompanying the article when it was submitted to the legislature, did not say one word upon the subject of charitable uses. Had the revisers proposed sweeping and radical changes in the existing law of uses and trusts, the vice-chancellor thought they would have stated their reasons and objects fully and elaborately. This suggestion or argument is considered and quite effectually disposed of by Mr. Justice Dusk (himself one of the revisers, as is well known), in the case of Ayres v. The Methodist Church, 3 Sandf. S. C., 351-372, decided in 1849, in the following remarks: “ The article in relation to uses and trusts commences with this declaration: Uses and trusts, except as authorized and modified in this article, are abolished’ (1 E. S., 727, §45); and the addition of a note telling the legislature that all uses and trusts not excepted were meant to be included, would have been an idle repetition of the text, which, if words have a meaning, could bear no other interpretation. Not only are uses and trusts abolished, but, to exclude the supposition that any previously existing were meant to be preserved, it is declared that none are to be excepted but those which the article itself authorizes and modifies; and that, by any comment upon sucb a text, the meaning of the revisers and the duty of judges could bave been rendered more plain and evident, we exceedingly doubt. * * Comparing their notes witb the actual provisions in their text, the just inference seems to be, that they believed that charitable uses, as they then existed, were subject to the general rules of the common law, and consequently would be subject to the statutory rules wbicb they desired to substitute.” But the bistory of the judicial controversy wbicb lias raged around tbis question in the courts of New York, cannot be more clearly shown than by quoting a rather lengthy passage from the opinion of Allen, J., in Holmes v. Mead, where it is thus stated:

“ The question,” says the learned judge, “long controverted and the subject of frequent discussions in the courts of tbis state, and wbicb has exercised the best minds upon the bench and at the bar, whether the law of charitable uses, as it existed in England at the time of the revolution, and the jurisdiction of the court of chancery over the subject, became, upon the adoption of the constitution of 1777, and still continues to be, the law of this state, notwithstanding our statute of ‘ Uses and Trusts ’ and our laws against perpetuities, is directly presented by this appeal.

“ All the learning upon tbis branch of the law, as well as the reasons wbicb bave led learned- and astute judges to different conclusions, appear in the reported decisions of the courts of tbis state, commencing in 1844 witb Shotwell v. Mott (2 Sandf. Ch., 46), in wbicb Yice-Chancellor SaNdeoed held in favor of the doctrine that the revised statutes relative to uses and trusts do not apply to charitable uses, and upon the same review of the history of the law in England and of the statute of 43 Eliz., as affecting the jurisdiction of the court of chancery over sucb uses, and for the same reasons wbicb bave since led other judges to the same results. The germ of the whole discussion is found in Shotwell v. Mott, and the views of the vice-chancellor were followed and sustained by great research, and an able argument of the late Judge Deitio, who may be said to be the leading champion of this doctrine, in Williams v. Williams (4 Seld., 525). All that can be profitably said or suggested in favor of the existence of the law of charitable uses in this state, is well and forcibly said by the two judges named. The doctrine has never been accepted by the profession and the courts as the recognized law, but has been vigorously opposed, and its opponents have never lost an opportunity of resisting its incorporation into the body of the law, as settled by the adjudications of the courts.

“ Three of the eight judges who participated in the decision of Williams v. Williams, dissented from the judgment. The intimation of the chancellor in Potter v. Chapin (6 Paige, 639) is against the validity of a trust of real estate except as authorized by the revised statutes, by which, he says, ‘ all general trusts are abolished. No decision of this court since Williams v. Williams has sanctioned the principles of that case, as applied to charitable uses; but, on the contrary, it has been in terms disaffirmed and overruled, and the weight as well as the current of authority is now the other way, and to the effect that there can be no trusts of realty except such as are permitted by the revised statutes (1 E. S., 727, § 45; id., 728, § 55). The cases in this court, as well as in other courts, are well and ably considered by Judge Poetee in Bascom v. Albertson (34 N. Y., 584), and the whole question as to the law in this state in respect to charitable uses thoroughly examined. In that opinion and the cases referred to by the learned judge, it is very satisfactorily demonstrated that the system of charitable uses, as recognized in England, has no existence in this state; that the courts cannot establish or sustain a trust or use which is not within our statute of uses and trusts; in other words, that the statute relative to uses and trusts is general, and contains no saving clause in favor of charities. It would be a work of supererogation to go over tbe ground again at this time. The opinion of Judge Poktee was adopted by seven of the eight judges of the court; and we recognize the case as a correct exposition of the law in this respect, and that they are not saved by implication. It is proper to state that the reporter misapprehended the intimation of the chief judge in Burrill v. Boardman (43 N. Y., 263). It was only intended to say that, in the view of the court, the question of charitable uses, which had been argued at great length by the counsel, was not in that case. It was not intended to intimate that it was an open question.”

Thus it will be seen that the later, and, as it seems to us, the better doctrine of the court of ajopeals is, that “ the sweeping provisions of the revised statutes, abolishing all uses and trusts except those specially named, are sufficiently general and comprehensive to include all charities, and, if these are saved, it must be by some exception expressed in or implied from the terms of the statute itself.” If the statute before its enactment here had received a construction in New York by the court -of last resort to the effect that it did not apply to charitable uses and trusts, there would be good grounds for holding that it was adopted by the legislature with such construction. But such was not the case. The decision in the Shotwell case was by the assistant vice-chancellor, and, though confessedly able and learned, is not binding as authority. It is entitled to the same respect and consideration as a decision of a circuit judge of equal learning and ability, and no more. The legislature of this state, in subsequently enacting the statute of uses and trusts, would probably attach no more, weight to it than to the previous intimation of the chancellor in Potter v. Chapin, already referred to. Certainly it is impossible, in view of this diversity of sentiment among the. judges prior to 1849, as to the effect of the statute, to say that it had an established judicial construction in New York when it was adopted here.

The express trusts retained by the New York statute are four in number, and are active trusts for special, temporary purposes in the interests of individuals. Downing v. Marshall, 23 N. Y., 336; Holmes v. Mead, supra. Our statute contains a provision in regard to that class of trusts, not found in the statutes of that state. It is the 5th subdivision of section 11, and reads as follows:- “An express trust may be created for the beneficial interests of any person or persons, when such trust is fully expressed and clearly defined on the face of the instrument creating it, subject to the limitations as to time prescribed in this title.” It is attempted to sustain the devise under this provision; and it is apparent that if it can be upheld at all, it must be because it falls within or conforms to the requirements of this subdivision. Assuming, then, for the purposes of the case, that a trust to a charity may be created under the provision, it can only be so created upon the prescribed terms and limitations. And what are those conditions? The statute gives a distinct answer to the question. A trust for the beneficial interest of another is valid, “ when it is full/y expressed and clea/rl/y defined upon the face of the i/nstrument creating it,” and so limited as to time as not to violate, the statute against perpe-tuities. Does the devise in the present case fulfill or answer these requirements? The real estate is devised to M. Cecilia Fox and M. Hyacintha Oberbruwner, “ to hold the same in trust for the use and benefit of the order of St. Dominican and St. Catharine’s Female Academy.” The trust is wanting fin all the elements of certainty and precision essential to give it validity. The words used are general and indefinite in their meaning. The trustees are to hold the legal title “for the use and benefit” of the beneficiaries, two unincorporated institutions or associations of individuals. No active duty is imposed upon the trustees in respect to the management, disposition or use of the property. No provision that the trustees should take possession of the property, receive the rents and profits, and apply them to any specified purpose. Instead of the trust being fully expressed and clearly defined,” there is a fatal uncertainty about it in every particular. The trust not only fails to impose any active duty upon the trustees, but it fails to designate any special purpose to which the income of the property is to be applied. The property is to be held for the use and benefit of the cesiym que trusts. It need not necessarily be devoted to a charitable use. Suppose the profits of the real estate should be applied to the payment of taxes, to the erection or repair of buildings upon it, or to any purpose which would promote the pecuniary interests of these unincorporated associations: would this be a violation of the trust? Apply another test. Suppose a bill were filed to conxpel the trustees to execute the trust: what could the court order the trustees to do? Would it not be compelled to resort to the cy pres doctrine, establish a trust or frame a scheme to carry out the charitable intent of the testatrix, where she had given no directions, and had declared in the will no charitable purpose? It seems to us this course would be inevitable. The title of the trustees under the will is merely nominal, connected with no power or duty in respect to the management or disposition of the estate, and is unlike" the trust created in Goodrich v. The City of Milwaukee, 24 Wis., 422. There an active duty was imposed upon the trustee, who was clothed with the legal title. He had power to sell and convey; to lease and demise; to mortgage the real estate, and apply all moneys' arising from the property according to the directions of the cestui que trust. That was held to be good as an active trust. But here a mere passive trust is created; one which requires the performance of no duty by the trustees to carry out the trust; where there is not a word to indicate that the property is to be applied to a charitable use. If the order of St. Dominican and St. Cathaidne’s Female Academy were incorporated, and authorized to take and hold, the legal estate, it would have vested in them under the provisions of the statute. At all events, there is no possible ground for saying that this trust, •whether passive or active, is fully expressed and clearly defined in the will; and this was essential -to impart to it validity. The testatrix indicates no specific purpose, no charitable object, to which the profits of the estate should be applied. In the case of Owens v. The Missionary Society, supra, there was a bequest “ to the Methodist General American Missionary Society appointed to preach the gospel to the poor, L. 0.,” a voluntary association then existing. One question considered in the case was, whether the- bequest was accompanied by a trust, so that if the society obtained the fund it would be. bound to appropriate it to some pious or charitable use. Upon that point Mr. Justice SeldeN says: “If, then, a be-ques.t, unaccompanied by any designation of the purposes to which it is to be applied, be made to a society whose name and public acts indicate that its objects are religious or charitable, is there an implied trust which limits the use to such objects? When the bequest is to a corporation, there would seem to be some basis for such an implication, because, the objects, purposes and powers of the corporation being in all cases more or less clearly defined by its charter, the bequest may fairly be presumed to have been intended for those specific objects. But we have no such criterion for ascertaining the nature and purpose of a voluntary association. Those purposes may change with the will of the associates. They may be pious to-day, and impious to-morrow. There is no law to prevent or restrain such changes. It is difficult to see, therefore, how a bequest to such an association can be deemed to create a ‘ charitable use,’ unless the purpose to which it is to be devoted is pointed out by the testator.” pp. 385-6. After this distinct intimation of his opinion on the question, the learned judge assumes, for the purposes of the case, “ that whére a bequest is made to an unincorporated society, whose general objects are known to be, as 'its name indicates, religious or charitable, a trust is implied that the fund shall be devoted to those objects.” In that case the bequest was declared invalid on account of the incapacity of the association to take, and the court held that it could not uphold it for a charitable or religious purpose. True, there are cases which hold that a mere naked bequest to an unincorporated association is valid as a charity. But the observations of Judge SeldeN suggest some of the difficulties in the way of supporting such bequests under the law of charitable uses, where there is no designation of the purposes to which the fund is to be applied. And no argument would seem to be necessary to point out that these difficulties are quite insurmountable in a devise of real estate to a charity, under a • statute which makes it essential to the validity of the trust that its purpose and object shall be fully expressed and clearly defined upon the face of the will itself. It is said by the learned counsel for the defendants, that in interpreting the fifth subdivision we must be governed by the law of charities as it existed prior to this statute, and that we should hold that a trust was fully expressed and clearly defined which would have been so regarded under the former law. But such a construction seems to us entirely inadmissible, for the reason that it completely nullifies and destroys the statute, which was plainly intended to cut up and make void a vague or indefinite trust, which by the former law had been held good.

On the argument, no importance was attached to the act of incorporation obtained subsequent to the commencement of this action; and it is clear upon the authorities that the question presented is not affected by that circumstance. Owens v. The Missionary Society of the M. E. Church, 14 N. Y., 380, and White et al. v. Howard et al., 46 id., 144. Besides, notice of Us pendens was duly filed when the suit was commenced.

It is further insisted that the devise in question is good as a devise in trust for the • lives of the trustees, or the longest liver of them, when it would wholly fail. But if we are right in tbe view we bave taken, that tbe devise is void because it does not meet tbe conditions of tbe fifth subdivision, it fails entirely. Tbis is obvious.

Other objections were taken to tbe devise. It was objected that it violated tbe statute of perpetuities, and was void on that ground. A devise to a charity would seem to require that tbe property be held in perpetuity for tbe charity. But it will be seen that tbe trust authorized by tbe fifth subdivision must be limited in time. Tbis consideration raises a doubt whether that provision was intended to apply to a charitable use or trust at all. For tbe purposes of tbis case we bave assumed that it did, and bave so considered tbe question. "We do not see bow tbis objection is to be overcome, but will not express a definite opinion upon tbe point.

The other objection, that the order of St. Dominican and St. Catharine’s Female Academy, being unincorporated voluntary associations, could not therefore take the devise as beneficiaries, we do not consider. The decision in Downing v. Marshall as to the bequest to the Home Missionary Society, an unincorporated association, sustains the objection here; but we will not dwell upon it.

The devise being void, the property descended to the heirs-at-law. After the final settlement of the account of the executors, the probate court, by an order or judgment made under the provisions of cb. 103, R. S., assigned the residue of the estate of M. Thomasina Ginlcer to the defendants, to be held and owned by them absolutely in fee simple. The remaining question to be considered relates to the effect of tbis order or judgment upon the rights of the parties. -The counsel for the defendants contend that, regardless of the question whether or not the will was valid to pass the property to the defendants in trust or in fee, still tbis order or judgment is binding and conclusive upon all the parties in interest until set aside or reversed by a direct proceeding instituted for that purpose; that it cannot be attacked in a collateral action, and therefore bars a recovery. Chapter 103, which relates to the partition and distribution of estates by the probate court, in effect provides that, after the payment of debts, funeral charges and expenses of administration, and after the allowance authorized to be made for the expenses of the maintenance of the family, etc., and after the assignment to the widow of dower, and her share in the personal estate, the courtshall, by an order or judgment for that purpose, assign the residue of the estate, if any, to such other persons as are by law entitled to the same.” (Sec. 2.) “ In such order or judgment the court shall name the persons and proportions or parts to which each shall be entitled; and such persons shall have the right to demand and recover their respective shares from the executor or administrator, or any person having the same.” (Sec. 3.) “ Such order or judgment may be made on the application of the executor or administrator, or of any person interested in the estate.” (Sec. 1.) Then follow provisions for making partition and distribution of undivided interests in the estates assigned. Now the inquiry is, "What effect must be given to this order or judgment assigning the residue of the estate? Does it operate to settle and determine all conflicting adverse claims in respect to the title as between the heir and devisee? Or is it only coextensive with the right or title of the executor or administrator, and, so far as the real estate is concerned, merely disposing of the possession by directing it to be surrendered to those whom the court finds presumptively entitled to it, with a view to close the administration and discharge the executor or administrator? In the opinion which the learned circuit judge filed in this case, he says upon this question, that in view of the statute he should have but little difficulty in reaching the conclusion that the probate court was authorized to determine, and did, by the judgment rendered, determine, to whom the will of the testatrix gave the real estate in question; and that such judgment, if regularly obtained, was binding on the parties until set aside or reversed. And the circuit judge observes, if the plaintiffs bad been duly notified of the application for the order assigning the residue of the estate, bad been present at the bearing, bad presented their claims and contested the questions involved, be should bold they were bound by the judgment, and could not in another action litigate their rights to the real estate. "We neither affirm nor dissent from this vi.ew of the circuit judge. The question whether the judgment assigning the property, when regularly made, upon proper notice to all concerned, is binding and conclusive upon all the parties in interest until reversed, is very important, and will be left undecided in this case. Should it again arise, it will be treated as an open question. The proofs show that the plaintiffs resided in Germany;' and the court found that no notice, either actual or constructive, was ever served upon them or either of them, of the proceeding for the distribution or assignment of the estate, prior to the time of the making of the order. We fully agree with the circuit court that such a notice was essential, and that the want of it deprived the probate court of jurisdiction to enter an order or judgment assigning the estate to the defendants, which would affect the rights of the plaintiffs. Failure to give the notice was not an irregularity or error merely, but it went to the jurisdiction of the court. It is a fundamental principle in the administration of justice, that no one shall be deprived of bis property without bis day in court, and having an opportunity to be beard. This principle is not always observed in the enactment of statutes, but it should ever be insisted upon and maintained, unless by express words or strong implication the legislature dispenses with the necessity of giving notice to 'a party before bis rights are adjudicated. This remark is made in answer to the argument that as the statute is silent in respect to giving notice to parties interested, of the application for judgment assigning the estate, it' need not therefore be given. We can draw no such inference from that omission. It may be true that the statute nowhere requires previous notice to be given of tbe application for this order or judgment, while, in the subsequent sections in regard to the partition of the real estate, provision is made for giving notice of that proceeding to the parties in interest. But we do not feel warranted in presuming from these facts that the legislature intended the judgment assigning the real estate should be made without some notice to the heir. If the order of distribution has the effect claimed for it, it is conclusive upon the question of title to real estate, and may transfer it absolutely from the heir to the devisee under a void will. That a judgment attended with such grave results may be rendered by the probate court without notice to the heii’, we are unwilling to hold until the legislature so declares by express words. This question is not entirely new in this court. In Bresee v. Stiles et al., 22 Wis., 120, it was decided that an order of the probate court distributing an estate binds only parties who have notice of the proceeding. The argument of counsel in that case in support of the doctrine that the order was conclusive upon all concerned, was similar to the one made here. The court gave this answer to it: “But it is further claimed, that the after-born children were barred and divested of all interest in the estate by the order or judgment of the county court assigning the estate. It is said to be the special duty of the probate courts, under our statute, to admit wills to probate; to adjudicate upon the rights of legatees and heirs; to settle all estates of deceased persons; and finally to assign or distribute such estates among the persons by law entitled to the same; and, the county court having made an order of distribution in this cáse which disposes of the entire estate; and divests any title which the after-born children might take in the same, that this order is final and conclusive upon the rights of those heirs, until it is reversed and set aside on appeal. Now what effect should 'be given to an order of distribution made by the county court which should divest the title of heirs in real estate, when those heirs have had notice, is a point upon which we express no opinion. It is sufficient here to say that it nowhere appears that these minor heirs, whose rights are affected by the order, ever had any notice of it or any opportunity to contest its validity. * * In order to hind these minor heirs by this order of distribution, it should at least appear that they were before the county court, or had notice of the proceedings.” pp. 126, 126. It is quite apparent that we cannot sustain the conclusive and binding force of the judgment before us upon the question of the title to the real estate, except by directly overruling the doctrine of this case. Eully approving the principles of that decision, we give them our sanction.

It is not necessary to enter upon an examination of the cases bearing upon the question of the construction of orders and judgments of probate courts. In certain matters these orders and judgments are conclusive upon the questions adjudicated. The counsel for the defendants, however, clearly point out a vital difference between the jurisdiction and powers of these courts and those of courts of general jurisdiction. The former are limited strictly and precisely to the powers conferred by statute, and what is irregularity and error merely in a court of general jurisdiction, to be corrected on error or appeal, becomes with them in many cases defect of jurisdiction, and renders their judgments void. Eor certain purposes the order or judgment of distribution may be deemed conclusive and final. In Loring, Adm'r, v. Steineman et al., 1 Metc., 204, the court held that “ a decree of distribution made by a probate court, after such notice as the court, in its discretion, shall thinlc proper to order, is so far conclusive as to protect an administrator acting in good faith, in conforming to it.” Kellogg v. Johnson, 38 Com., 269, states the same doctrine. We do not find it necessary to question the soundness of these decisions. Nor do we think the conclusion which we have reached is necessarily in conflict with the decisions in Emery v. Hildreth, 2 Gray, 228; Peters v. Peters, 8 Cush., 529; Gates v. Treat, 17 Conn., 388, and that class of cases. We bold that, as the plaintiffs had no notice of the application for the order or judgment of distribution, they are not concluded by it. To say that the notice required to be given of the application for the probate of the will has the effect to bring all parties interested in the estate before the probate court, so that, without further notice, the heir is concluded in respect to the title of real estate under a final order of distribution, would be to lay down a rule which would often lead to great evil and injustice. In the present state of our statutory law, we are unwilling to sanction such a doctrine. Further than this it is not necessary now to go.

The cases of Nash v. Church, 10 Wis., 303, and Kane v. The Rock River Canal Co., 15 id., 179, as to the effect of a judgment of partition, do not seem to require any special comment. Those decisions rest upon the peculiar provisions of the statute in that class of cases, and cannot be invoked in aid of the claim of the defendants here.

It follows from these views that the judgment of the circuit court must be affirmed.

By the Cou/rt.— Judgment affirmed.

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Rehearing

On a motion for a rehearing, a brief was filed for the appellants, signed by Fuller & Dyer as attorneys, and L. S. Dixon of counsel, in which it was urged that the court had not only decided the questions, whether the judgment of the probate court was conclusive against the plaintiffs, and whether the will created a valid trust for a charitable use, which were the only questions raised and discussed by the appellants’ counsel at the former hearing, but had also decided that, treating the trust as merely a passive one,' the beneficiaries could not take the legal title under the statute, because they were a mere voluntary association, and that the devise therefore wholly failed, and the title passed to the heirs. Counsel contended at length that there is no absolute rule of law which forbids in all cases the transfer of title to land, whether by deed or will, to a voluntary association; that, on the contrary, as a conveyance to a partnership, by the firm name, vests the title in the individuals composing the firm at the time of such conveyance, so a conveyance or devise of land to a voluntary association, without anything to indicate that the persons who may from time to time compose such association are to take vn succession, is effectual to vest the title in the persons who compose such association at the time of the devise or conveyance, where those persons are definitely known or capable of being precisely identified by proof; and that while there are some associations whose organization and character is so well known that the court can say as a matter of law that the associates or constituents are incapable of taking the legal title because they are a fluctuating and uncertain body of persons, composed of no fixed and definite number, not capable of identification, and having no capacity to deal with the legal title (as the inhabitants of a town or county not incorporated, etc.), yet as to, “ the order of St. Dominican and St. Catharine’s Female Academy, located in the city of Eaeine in the state of "Wisconsin,” the court certainly could not take judicial notice of the number of persons composing it, of its nature and objects, of the relations existing between the associates, or of any fact touching its organization, management or business; that these things were properly matters to be shown by evidence, before the court could determine whether the associates of that body could not take title to land by virtue of a deed or devise running to the body; and that upon a second trial of this action, to which the defendants are entitled by the statute, they expect to be able to show such facts concerning the organization and character of the body named, as will satisfy the court that, under the authorities upon that subject, the will is valid to transfer the legal title to the premises in dispute, to a small and definite number of individuals, capable of perfect and easy iden-tifieation, who composed the body named at the time of the testator’s demise. ^* Eor these reasons, counsel ashed that the court would modify its opinion so’as not to prejudge the questions which -would be properly and fully presented for the first time upon such second trial.

In the brief for the appellants on this motion, signed by Van Buskirk & Ritchie, with Fred. Winkler of counsel, it was contended, among other things, that, inasmuch as the court had decided that there was “ no possible ground for saying that this trust, whether passive or active, is fully expressed and clearly defined in the will,” and that “ this was essential to impart to it validity,” it followed of necessity that the title passed to the heirs.

Cole, J.

The learned counsel for the appellants have moved for a rehearing in this cause, or for a modification of the sentence in the opinion which reads as follows: “ The devise being void, the property descended to the heirs-at-law.” It is said that the proposition of law embraced in this paragraph was not distinctly and fairly presented by the record, and was not discussed on the former argument either in the printed briefs or orally before the court. The counsel therefore aslc that we do not attempt to decide the question definitely at this stage of the cause, but reserve our judgment upon it until such time as it shall be fairly presented and argued. It does not occur to us that there is any valid objection to our complying with 'this request of counsel. It is true, the question as to what would become of the legal title if the devise or trust should be held void, was not discussed on the former argument. It seemed to me, however, a necessary logical consequence that it would in that event descend to tbe heirs-at-law. But still the question is a difficult one, and it is desirable to have all the light possible upon it before it is decided. The opinion is therefore modified in the particular named, and the motion for a rehearing is thereupon denied.

The learned counsel for the respondents observe, in their argument filed in opposition to the motion for a rehearing, and against any modification of the opinion on the question suggested, that the motion or request is most remarkable and unprecedented in the history of judicial proceedings, being, as it is said, nothing more than an attempt to extort from this court an expression of an opinion upon a hypothetical case. An attempt of this kind, it is remarked in substance, could not have been expected -from one who had occupied an exalted judicial office in the state, and is to be looked upon as an effort, through eminent ability and the possible influence of his former position, to gain some advantage. The counsel responsible for these remarks probably did not stop to consider how improper or unjust they were to all concerned, or they would not have made them. No effort is made to obtain an expression of opinion upon any question, but the court is asked to withhold its judgment upon a point until further argument. That is all.

By the Coii/rt. — Motion denied.

Ryan, C. J., having been of counsel in this cause, took no part in the decision.

Case Details

Case Name: Ruth v. Oberbrunner

Court Name: Wisconsin Supreme Court

Date Published: Aug 15, 1876

Citation: 40 Wis. 238

Court Abbreviation: Wis.