Willcox v. Smith

26 Barb. 316 | N.Y. Sup. Ct. | 1858

Lead Opinion

Balcom, J.

The decree of the surrogate states that there is due from the estate of Whitman Willcox, jun. deceased, to Henry Snow, on a note executed by the deceased to him, the sum of $1480; that there is due to Benjamin F. Bexford from such estate the sum of $705.60; and that there is due from such estate to Henry B. Mygatt, for services rendered in settling the same, the sum of $601.55; which several sums the decree declares shall be paid from the estate of the deceased. These sums are decreed in favor of Snow, Bexford and Mygatt, against such estate, although the decree requires Lucinda Willcox, Mary Ann Merritt, Whitman Willcox and Bradford Willcox to pay such sums to Snow, Bexford and Mygatt; for it declares that the former owe the estate sufficient moneys to satisfy such sums. Bexford and Mygatt were not parties to the proceedings before the surrogate, and could not have been legally made such; but the surrogate having, by the decree, awarded them the sums above mentioned, they, as well as Snow, are interested in sustaining the decree; and therefore they were properly made parties respondents in the petitions of appeal to this court. (1 Barb. Ch. Pr. 428. Gilchrist v. Rea, 9 Paige, 66. Kellett v. Rathbun, 4 id. 102. Gardner v. Gardner, 5 id. 170.)

Rexford's claim, adjudged to him by the decree, as well as Mygatt’s, was for disbursements paid and services rendered for the administrators and administratrix on their final accounting and settlement before the surrogate; therefore neither Rexford nor Mygatt was a creditor of the deceased; and neither of them had any claim against his estate. The administrators and administratrix employed them as counsel, to assist in arranging, substantiating and settling their accounts before the surrogate : and they were personally liable to pay Rexford and Mygatt for their disbursements and services in those proceedings. And it was not in the power of the administrators and administratrix to make an agreement with Rexford and Mygatt, on which they could have any claim against the estate of the deceased. Bo persons could have claims against the estate of the deceased, arising on contract, except those who made contracts with him, and such as succeeded to their rights.

The creditors, to whom the surrogate is authorized to decree the payment of debts by executors and administrators, on a final settlement of their accounts, are those whose claims arise on contracts made with the deceased; and not such as have demands against the executors or administrators personally, by reason of agreements which they have made with the executors or administrators, even while in the proper discharge of then- duties in administering upon the estates under their control. (See 2 R. S. 95, § 71.)

Rexford and Mygatt, not being parties to the proceedings before the surrogate, could not have costs awarded to them, because the statute only authorizes the surrogate to award costs to parties. (2 R. S. 223, § 10.) And costs, when adjudged to a party by the surrogate, are such, only, as were formerly allowed for similar services in the late courts of common pleas. (Laws of 1837, ch. 460, § 70. Sherman v. Youngs, 6 How. Pr. R. 318. Burtis v. Dodge, 1 Barb. Ch. 77. Halsey v. Van Amringe, 6 Paige, 12. 3 id. 182. Western v. Romaine, 1 Bradf. 37.) They must still be taxed at the rates of common pleas costs, as they were allowed prior to the code. (See authorities above cited.) This is certainly the rule; for the reason that the second part of the code, which includes that portion thereof that allows and regulates costs in civil actions, is inapplicable to proceedings in surrogates’ courts, and does not affect appeals from such courts. (Code, § 471. 6 How. Pr. Rep. 318.)

It seems to be well settled that an executor or administrator is not entitled to charge the estate he represents with a counsel fee paid by him upon the final settlement of his accounts before the surrogate; or for drawing up his accounts in a proper and legal form on such a settlement; and also that the surrogate has no authority to make an arbitrary allowance to him in lieu of the compensation directed by the statute to be paid to advocates and proctors in surrogates’ courts, where the same is to be paid as costs in the suit or proceeding, either by the adverse party, or out of the fund in litigation. (Burtis v. Dodge, 1 Barb. Ch. 77. Halsey v. Van Amringe, 6 Paige, 12. 1 Bradf. 37.) This rule does not conflict with the one, now statutory, which authorizes the surrogate to allow executors and administrators “ for their actual and necessary expenses,” which are “just and reasonable,” in the management of the estates committed to them; (see 2 R. S. 93, § 58; Laws of 1849, ch. 160;) such as expenses incurred by them, in employing agents and clerks, where their services are beneficial to such estates; (McWhorter v. Benson, Hopkins’ Ch. 28; Vanderheyden v. Vanderheyden,. 2 Paige, 287 ; 9 id. 440 ; 2 Denio, 575 ; 2 Bradford, 291, 294;) and such as costs paid in actions brought by them, in good faith, to recover debts supposed to be due to their decedents, when the results show that different modes of proceeding would have been more beneficial to the parties interested in the estates. (Collins v. Hoxie, 9 Paige, 81.)

The two rules already mentioned harmonize; and they are founded on solid reasons. It is not often that executors or administrators need the services of counsel in making final settlements of their accounts before the surrogate, if they have properly managed the estates in their hands, and are diligent in making such settlements; and where they are negligent, or permit their accounts to become confused, or suffer the estates under their control to decrease unnecessarily, they ought to pay counsel out- of their own funds, for assisting them in closing up their trusts. And the reasons are too obvious to be stated, which uphold the rule that permits the surrogate to allow them all actual and necessary expenses incurred by them, which appear reasonable and just, in bringing and defending actions, in good faith, with the expectation of benefiting the estates under their control; and in managing sU'ch estates, solely for the benefit of those interested in them.

The preceding conclusions render it ajjparent that the sm> rogate had no authority to award costs to either Rexford or Mygatt, for disbursements paid and services rendered by them for the administrators and administratrix, on their final accounting and settlement before him; and also, if he had adjudged costs for their disbursements and services, to the administrators and administratrix, the decree could not be sustained ; because he taxed Rexford and Mygatt’s charges for services by the day, and included in their bills, as disbursements, moneys paid by them for the use of horses and wagons, for horse feed and for their own board. (See Kirtland’s Surrogate, 103.)

But I will not stop here on the question of costs; for I am of the opinion the surrogate could not, upon the facts in the case, award even taxable costs to the administrators and administratrix, to be paid out of the estate of the deceased, or personally by the contestants of their accounts.

The administrators and administratrix took their letters of administration from the surrogate on the 1st day of September,. 1845, when the contestants were all infants. The statute made it their duty to return an inveiitory of the personal estate of the deceased “ to the surrogate within three months of the date of such letters;” (2 R. S. 84, § 15;) but they had not even made oath to its accuracy in 1852, when the contestants, as next of kin to the deceased, commenced proceedings before the surrogate to compel them to return it; and they did not file it with the surrogate until the 5th day of January, 1853 ; and they had fio reasonable excuse or apology for this long delay. Their oaths, which they attached to the inventory, are contradictory, and vary from the requirements of the statute, (2 R. S. 84, § 16.) Two of them swore that Smith had been the acting administrator of the estate, and that they made their oath, as to the correctness of the inventory, from the best of their knowledge, information and belief, and under the advice of counsel that the same was not conclusive upon them. Smith, the other administrator, swore that he had but little knowledge of the property of the deceased," previous to his appointment as administrator; that all .the notes, books, accounts, mortgages and contracts, and evidences of debts, appraised, were in the possession of his co-administrator and administratrix, or one of them, and were presented to the appraisers by them: and that most of the personal property of the deceased, in the county of Chenango, was at the time in the possession of one or both of them. That they had ever since their appointment been acting administrator and administratrix; and that he, Smith, had not been, at any time, sole acting administrator of the estate of the deceased, according to his best knowledge and beliefbut that he supposed, at all times, the three were acting co-jointly, although particular acts might have been done by one alone; also that he made his affidavit under the advice of counsel, and claimed that he was not concluded by the same!

Why did the administrators and administratrix swear in this way? Would they have so shaped their oaths if they had been guilty of no negligence or misconduct in the management of the estate committed to their charge ? It seems to me they would not; and that their oaths to the inventory had a tendency to incite the heirs and next of kin to the deceased into a scrutiny of their accounts and doings with the estate. I think the case shows that they had been remiss in collecting debts due to the deceased; in paying those contracted by him; in converting the personal property into money, and in taking vouchers for moneys paid out by them; also, that they had applied some of the personal estate to uses not authorized by law, and had unnecessarily permitted the same to decrease in their hands; they therefore framed their oaths, as above set forth, preparatory to mystifying the case; and with the hope of escaping individual liability for the injuries they had done, or permitted to be done, to the estate; and I have no doubt but that the long delays and great expenses on their final accounting, were caused by the improper manner in which they had executed the trusts reposed in them; and by the difficulties they encountered in shaping their accounts, and getting up vouchers, to make all their transactions, connected with the estate, appear fair on their face. It was not, therefore, a case in which the surrogate should have allowed the administrators and administratrix any costs whatever, out of the estate, beyond the fees of the auditor and his own fees, incurred by them in making their final accounting and settlement. (See 10 Paige, 191; 4 id. 102; 3 id. 88; 10 Barb. 432.) And I am of the opinion the contestants were entitled to costs, to be paid out of the estate of the deceased; and that the surrogate should have awarded costs to them. (2 R. S. 223, § 10.) It has been correctly held that the decision of the surrogate awarding costs, in a case like this, may be reviewed on appeal. (Lain v. Lain, 10 Paige, 191.)

Was Henry Snow’s claim, on the note he held against the deceased, barred by the statute of limitations, so that the surrogate could nob decree its payment out of the estate of the deceased ? The date of the note was August 31, 1843; it was signed by the deceased, and bound him to pay Henry Snow $1200 on demand, with interest. It was unpaid when the letters of administration were issued on the estate of the deceased. On the 31st day of August, 1847, one of the administrators paid the interest then due on the note to Snow; and such administrator continued to 'pay interest on it until the 31st day of August, 1852. The inference is irresistible, that Snow presented the note to the administrators and administratrix within seven years and a half next after its date; and that they allowed it as a valid claim against the estate of the deceased. (6 Hill, 389.) The administrators and administratrix not doubting the justice of the claim, and having allowed it, there was nothing in dispute between them and Snow to refer to referees, under the statute. (1 Denio, 276.) And for the same reason there Vas no necessity, or even propriety, for a suit by Snow to establish his claim. He was not bound to exhibit evidences of his olaim, or make oath of the justice thereof, because nothing of the kind was required of him. (6 Hill, 389. 2 R. S. 88, 89, §§ 35 to 39.)

Snow’s claim having been duly recognized and allowed by the administrators and administratrix, as a valid one against the estate represented by them, within seven years and a half from the time it became due; (see 1 Hill, 36; 2 R. S. 448, § 8; 1 Denio, 151;) and their final accounting and settlement having been made within six years of the time that they so recognized and allowed it, the next of kin to the deceased could not require its rejection by the surrogate, upon the final settlement of the estate, on the plea of the statute of limitations. They could not set up such statute against the claim, under such circumstances; and the administrators and administratrix would have been defeated, if they had interposed such statute against the claim.

Snow’s claim was not disputed by the administrators and administratrix, before the surrogate; and it was not a disputed claim, within the meaning of the adjudications on the question. (See 13 Wend. 35; 6 Barb. 352 ; 10 id. 308; 2 Selden, 216; 2 Barb. Ch. R. 414.) The surrogate could therefore allow it, as a debt against the estate of the deceased, to be paid from assets in the hands of the administrators and administratrix. (2 Barb. Ch. R. 414.) But the decree, in regard to this debt, was erroneous, so far as it required Mary Ann Merritt, Bradford Willcox and Charles Willcox, or either of them, to pay any portion of it. (2 R. S. 93, § 58. Id. 94, § 65. Id. 95, § 71. Laws of 1849, p. 218. 2 Seld. 216. 1 Kernan, 324. 10 Barb. 523. 1 Hill, 130. 3 Barb. S. C. R. 341. 10 id. 309.)

On the subject of the statute of limitations, I will add, that when an executor or administrator presents a claim in his own favor, against the estate he represents, to the surrogate for allowance, legatees or next of kin may set up the statute of limitations against it; (see 2 Bradf. 116 ; 1 Barb. Ch. R. 455;) and they, as well as heirs and devisees, may interpose such statute as a defense, when sued by creditors of a deceased person, for any portion of his personal or real estate received by them. Where, however, a claim against a deceased person is presented to his executor or administrator, or to the surrogate, for payment out of the personal estate of the deceased, yet in the hands of the executor or administrator, nobody but such executor or administrator can dispute such claim, or set up the statute of limitations against it. (2 R. S. 88, §§ 35, 36.) But an executor or administrator is personally liable if he allows a claim, against the estate of the decedent, which he knows to be unfounded or unjust; and it is asserted by Dayton that he renders himself personally liable if he omits to set up the statute of limitations, in a case where that defense may be successfully interposed. (Dayton’s Surrogate, 2d ed. 318.) But I will express no opinion as to the correctness of Dayton’s view of the question; for none is necessary in this case, (See, however, 2 Kent’s Com. 4th ed. p. 418, note a; 2 Com. Dig. 483; 1 Atkyns, 524; Kirtland’s Surrogate, 186, and note x, foot of page 317 in Dayton’s Surrogate, 2d ed.; 5 Pick. 144; 13 Mass. R. 201; 16 id. 172, 429.)

No sufficient excuse was shown before the -auditor or surrogate, why the note Snow held against the deceased was not fully paid by the administrator and administratrix, within eighteen months from the time of their appointment. They had abundant means in their hands for paying it; and they should have been charged personally, by the surrogate, with all interest that accrued on it after the expiration of the eighteen months above mentioned; or with interest from that date on the sum then due on the note. (Dayton’s Surrogate, 2d ed. 480.)

An executor or administrator who is the general guardian of an infant, cannot, of his own motion, transfer any portion of the personal estate of the deceased, in which his ward has an interest as next of kin or legatee, from himself as executor or administrator, to himself as general guardian of the infant, so as to relieve him from accounting for all of such personal estate, as executor or administrator, before the surrogate. He must keep that portion of the estate, as executor or administrator, which belongs to his ward, until he has authority from the suri’ogate to hold it as a general guardian.

Whenever an executor or administrator’s account is finally settled before the surrogate, and any part of' the personal estate remains to he distributed, the surrogate shall make a decree for the payment and distribution of what shall so remain, to and among the creditors, legatees, widow and next of kin to the deceased, according to their respective rights. (2 R. S. 95, § 71.) And where a distributive share is to be paid to a minor, it cannot he paid to his general guardian for any purpose, without the direction of the surrogate. (2 R. S. 98, §§ 80, 82.) Neither can a legacy be paid to the general guardian of a minor, unless by permission of the surrogate. (2 R. S. 91, § 47. Id. 98, § 82.)

The foregoing conclusions render it clear that Smith’s pre-. tended voucher was a nullity, by which he attempted to, relieve-himself from accounting for $1000 of the assets of the ■deceased, as administrator, before the surrogate, by crediting himself with that sum, as administrator, and charging himself with the same, as general guardian of Mary Ann Merritt, formerly Mary Ann Willcox.

Smith’s claim against the estate of the deceased, for an alleged payment of $735.59 to the Bank of-Chenango, on the 8th day of July, 1845, and interest thereon, was haired by the statute of limitations; and the surrogate should have disallowed it. The decedent did not die until the 4th day of August, 1845; and over seven years and a half elapsed before this claim was presented by Smith to the surrogate for allowance. It has already been shown that the next of bin to the deceased could set up the statute of limitations against the allowance of such a claim by the surrogate, when presented by an administrator. (See authorities hereinbefore cited.) And Smith could not retain assets, in payment of this claim, until it was allowed by the surrogate. (1 Bradford, 116. Laws of 1837, ch. 460, § 37. See 18 Wend. 319.)

Smith should have been charged, by the surrogate, with his note of $400, dated July 15, 1841, and interest thereon. It was owned by the deceased at the time he died, and it was inventoried as part of his personal estate. The fact that Smith’s claim of $735.59, for an alleged payment by him to the Bank of Chenango, was barred by the statute of limitations, does away with the reason assigned by the auditor for not charging him with his note; and no good cause was shown for not charging him with his note and the interest thereon.

The administrators and administratrix had no authority or control over the real estate left by the deceased, except to mortgage, lease or sell it for the payment of his debts, when specially authorized to do so by the surrogate. They were not warranted in paying any taxes on it, which were assessed subsequent to the death of the deceased, or in making payments upon mortgages, on real estate conveyed by him, or whereof he died seised, which he was under no personal obligation to pay. (Dayton’s Surrogate, 2d ed. 236, 551.) The reason why they could not pay such taxes or mortgages on real estate, with the assets of the deceased, is that the assets were applicable only to the payment of his debts, and such taxes and mortgages were not, in any sense, his debts. They were charges on the real estate, which were for the heirs to pay, to whom such real estate descended.

Whitman Willcox and Elisha B. Smith were appointed the general guardians of four of the infant heirs and next of kin to the deceased, on the 27th day of November, 1.845; and they received the rents and profits of their wards' real estate, • and also the proceeds of some of their real estate which they sold as special guardians. But they had no right to use moneys, as administrators, which they received as guardians; and the surrogate should not have allowed them for any payments or advances made to the widow or next of kin, out of such moneys. Whatever amounts of such moneys they paid to or for the widow or the next of kin, should have been laid out of view by the surrogate, on their accounting' as administrators.

Lucinda Willcox, as widow of the deceased, should have been allowed by the surrogate to retain the personal property of the deceased, specified in the auditor's report, amounting in value to the sum of $342.25. She was entitled to $150 worth of the same under section 2 of chapter 157 of the laws of 1842; (see 6 Hill, 642; 4 Selden, 31; 2 id. 597;) and the residue thereof should have been allowed to her, pursuant to the revised statutes. (2 R. S. 83, § 9.)

On the 26th day of September, 1853, the surrogate, after hearing all persons interested in the matter, audited and allowed a claim presented by Whitman Willcox against the estate of the deceased, at $1860.79, and authorized him, as administrator, to retain that sum, with interest thereon, out of the assets of the deceased in his hands. It does not appear by the case, upon what evidence this claim was allowed, or that it was contested on any particular ground; nor does the case show that the statute of limitations was set up against it, either before the surrogate or auditor, although the entire claim accrued upwards of seven years and a half before it was presented to the surrogate for allowance; and no appeal has been taken from the order of the surrogate allowing it. This claim was not credited to Whitman Willcox by the surrogate in the final decree appealed from; and I think it was overlooked by him, through inadvertence; for I am unable to perceive any reason why Whitman Willcox should not have been permitted, by the final decree, to retain this claim, as previously audited and allowed by the surrogate, out of the assets of the deceased in his hands. He must be allowed to retain it, on the rehearing of the case.

Smith had no right, as administrator, to purchase the interest which Eli H. Willcox had as next of kin in the personal estate of the deceased, or the interest he had as heir in the real estate left by the deceased, for his co-administrator and the , administratrix, or for the heirs and next of kin; and his co-administrator and the administratrix, by the express consent of all the heirs and next of kin and their guardians, had not power to authorize him to purchase, as administrator, the interests of Eli H. Willcox in either the real or personal estate of the deceased: neither had the surrogate power to authorize him to do it. Such purchase was not an act which he could do in his representative character.

Smith could have purchased such interests of Eli H. Will-cox, for himself individually, or as agent of the widow and such of the heirs and next of kin as were of full age, if he had had authority from them to do so, and had used his or their funds in paying for such interests. I will not say whether he could have purchased such interests of Eli H. Willcok, as the general guardian of some of the infants, and had the same sanctioned by the court; for I do not think it necessary to pass upon that question in this case. That question can properly arise only when Mr. Smith shall account as guardian of Mary Ann. Merritt. (See on this point, 11 Barb. 22 ; 4 John. Ch. 100; 8 Paige, 89; 2 Kent’s Com. 230.)

Whatever assets, belonging to the adnlt next of kin, were, used by Smith with their consent, in purchasing the interests of Eli H. Willcox in the real and personal estate of the deceased, the surrogate c'ould rightfully charge to such adults, to the amount only of their distributive shares in the personal estate of the deceased, over and above the just claims of creditors. • Such disposition of assets, belonging to the adults, by Smith, should be regarded as advancements by him to them towards their distributive shares in the personal estate of the deceased, But the surrogate had no right to credit him, on his accounting, for such payments or advancements to the adult next of kin, beyond the amounts of their respective distributive shares in the personal estate of the deceased, for two reasons; 1st. The next of kin, who were infants or who did not consent to such disposition of the assets of the deceased, could not be prejudiced thereby, or have their shares lessened in that manner : 2d. The surrogate’s jurisdiction is limited; and he had no authority to decree that either of the next of kin to the deceased should pay back any excess of assets received from Smith, over and above his or her distributive share. (See 2 R. S. 93, §58; Laws of 1849, ch. 160; 2 R. S. 94, § 65; id. 95, § 71; 2 Selden, 216; 1 Hill, 130; 3 Barb. 341; 10 id. 309, 523.) Smith’s remedy, if he has any, to recover back any such excess of assets advanced by him to or for the next of kin to the deceased, must be sought in another forum.

If Smith paid for the interests of Eli H. Willcox, in the estate of the deceased, with money or property other than assets of the deceased, that is to say, such as the proceeds of real estate sold or the rents and profits of real estate, he was not entitled to any credit as administrator, or to have any thing deducted from the distributive share of either of the next of kin, or widow, on his final accounting and settlement before the surrogate. His claims for money or property so expended for them, could be enforced only by actions institilted in this court. The surrogate could not compel the widow or next of kin to the deceased, to pay him for such money or property. It was no part of his duty to adjust equities, between the administrators and next of kin, outside of the management and disposition of the personal estate of the deceased.

What I have said on the subject of the purchase by Smith, of the interests of Eli H. Willcox in the real and personal estate of the deceased, leads me to the conclusion that the surrogate erred in crediting Smith as administrator with $5512.20, as and for money paid by Smith to Eli H. Willcox for his interests in the real and personal estate of the deceased. And I will add that there is no evidence in the case to show that Lucinda Willcox, Mary Ann Merritt and Mrs. Smith were informed, when they said they accepted the conveyance from Eli H. Willcox of his interests in the estate of the deceased, that Smith had paid or was about to pay for such interests with assets of the deceased, in his hands as administrator.

Bradford Willcox was a minor and Whitman Willcox was his general guardian, yet the surrogate has adjudged that he is liable for $1213.42 of assets or moneys received by him from Elisha B. Smith! and also that he has received of the personal property of the estate, by his general guardian, the sum of $1091.89 more than his distributive share; and that he must refund and pay this latter sum, by his general guardian, to Henry Snow, Benjamin F. Bexford, Henry B. Mygatt, Elisha B. Smith, Lucinda P. Smith and Charles Willcox or some of them, as creditors! And the decree makes this sum a charge on the estate of Bradford Willcox. This part of the decree is clearly erroneous, according to the views hereinbefore expressed ; and I will add that it seems to me the case does not show sufficient facts to charge Bradford Willcox with any portion of the sum of $1213.42. (See 2 Paige, 419; 1 id. 102; 2 Kent, 230; 11 Barb. 22; 8 id. 48.)

The statute is imperative that every executor or administrator, in rendering his accounts to the surrogate on a final settlement, “ shall produce vouchers for all debts and legacies, paid, and for all funeral charges and just and' necessary expenses.” (1 R. S. 92, § 54. Dayton’s Surrogate, 472, 2d ed.) Dayton says, the surrogate may, in a proper case, sustain the account of an executor or administrator, on his final settlement, iC even without vouchers.” (Id. 472.) He does not say what kind of a case is a proper one in which the account may be sustained without vouchers ') and I think if such an account can be allowed, in any case, without vouchers and without proof other than the death of the executor or administrator, where separate items of it exceed $20 in amount, it is where creditors refuse to give vouchers; or where the executor or administrator has lost his vouchers, or where they have been stolen or destroyed, and he is unable to procure others. A special act was once passed by the legislature, authorizing the surrogate to allow the accounts of certain administrators without vouchers where they had been destroyed by fire. (See Laws of 1847, ch. 71.) Perhaps the Surrogate should consider such cases as I have mentioned implied exceptions to the statutory rule, on the assumption that the legislature could not have intended to require executors and administrators to perform impossibilities or sustain losses.

The only expenditure which the statute authorizes the surrogate to allow to executors and administrators, for which no voucher is produced, without proof of such expenditures other than their own oaths to their accounts, are items not exceeding twenty dollars each; and they must support such items by a positive oath to the fact of their payment, specifying when and to whom such payment was made; and then such oath must he uncontradiotéd; and such allowances shall not, in the whole, exceed five hundred dollars, for payments, in behalf of any one estate. (2 R. S. 92, § 55. 4 Paige, 102. 6 id. 166.) Also see case in 2 Selden, 216, as to the necessity of the executor or administrator producing negotiable promissory notes to the surrogate.

The fact that a voucher has been procured by the executor or administrator, a long time subsequent to the transaction to which it relates, is a suspicious circumstance against its accuracy, but that does not justify the surrogate in refusing to receive it as evidence when offered before him. (Dayton’s Surr. 2d ed. 474. See Tomlin’s Law Dict. tit. Voucher, for the meaning of the word.)

The accounts rendered by executors and administrators should be duly verified by them when presented to the surrogate, especially where the rights of infants are to be affected, although their verification is not required by the parties who appear. (6 Paige, 166. 1 Barb. Ch. R. 469. Dayton’s Surrogate, 2d ed. 472.)

The above mentioned rules show to what precision executors and administrators are held in rendering, verifying and establishing their accounts on their final settlement before the surrogate; and they are eminently just, and should not be departed from, except in cases of the most urgent necessity, and in order to prevent absolute injustice. The administrators and administratrix should be required to comply with these rules on the rehearing of this case.

Were the administrators and administratrix competent .witnesses for each other, on their accounting, before the auditor'and the surrogate ? It was settled, prior to the year 1857, that the code was not applicable to proceedings by executors and administrators on the settlement of then accounts in surrogates’ courts. (See Woodruff v. Cox, 2 Bradf. 223 ; 16 Barb. 200; 3 Kernan, 93; 6 How. Pr. Rep. 318; also see remarles and authorities in a former part of this opinion.) And none of the amendments to the code passed by the legislature of 1857, have changed this rule. The admissibility of the administrators and administratrix as witnesses for each other, must therefore- be determined by the law as it exists irrespective of the code. They were at least jointly liable to account for a considerable portion of the assets of the deceased; (see 11 Paige, 265; Dayton’s Surrogate, 2d ed. 484, 485;) and prima facie they were jointly liable for the entire amount of his personal property, as shown by the inventory of it. They were called to testify, and did testify, directly in favor of their own interests; they were therefore incompetent to be witnesses for each other. (See 1 Barb. Ch. R. 585; 2 Paige, 54; 6 id. 585; 1 Greenl. Ev. § 361; 2 R. S. 92, 93, 94, 95 and 98, §§ 54 to 59, 65, 71, 80, 82.) The device of having them sworn, nominally for Mrs. Smith, who did not contest their accounts at all, did not ’ authorize their examination, substantially in their own behalf and for each other. They could not testify for each other, for the further reason that they were parties on the record, to the proceedings in which they were examined. (1 Phil. Ev. 69. 3 Comst. 490, 491.)

It is true, the legislature has declared that executors and administrators “may be examined on oath,” touching any payments made by them in them representative characters, and also touching any property or effects of the deceased which have come to their hands, and the disposition thereof. (2 R. S. 92, § 54.) This statute was passed when the law was that a party to a suit or proceeding could not even call his adversary as a witness, except in certain cases, by special permission, in the court of chancery; and I think it was intended only to give parties, who contest the accounts of executors and administrators, the right to examine them as witnesses. (See 1 Bradf. 356.) If more had been intended, it seems to me the legislature would have said that they might be examined on oath, as witnesses in their own behalf. This is the kind of language subsequently employed by the legislature in authorizing parties to suits, provided for by the code, to be witnesses for themselves. (Code, § 399.) Besides, executors and administrators were permitted to verify their accounts by affidavit, at the time the statute above mentioned was enacted; and we can hardly presume that the legislature would have interfered in order to authorize them to testify, orally, as witnesses,, to sustain their accounts, when swearing to them on paper was allowed. I am therefore of the opinion that the statute referred to does not secure the right to executors and administrators to he examined as witnesses for themselves, on their final accounting before the surrogate.

But Smith’s counsel contended that because Lucinda Will-cox as widow, and Whitman Willcox as next of kin, were entitled to certain portions of the assets of the deceased after the payment of his debts, they could be witnesses for each other, and that either could call Smith as a witness. And he also stated that they were competent for each other because, as he alleged, they were not liable for each other’s devastavit. The first answer which I shall make to this position is, that Lucinda Willcox and Whitman Willcox were before the auditor, as well as the surrogate, as administratrix and administrator, and they there litigated in those characters ; the second is, that their interests as administratrix and administrator, in the matters in dispute, greatly exceeded those they had as widow and next of kin. (24 Wend. 116. 1 Hill, 58. 1 Greenl. Ev. § 391.) Another is, that prima facie, they rvere jointly liable for the entire personal estate, as stated in their inventory of it, and clearly so for the greater portion of it until they had testified. The conclusion to which I have come, therefore, is that the administrators and administratrix were not competent witnesses for themselves or for each other, on their final accounting, either before the auditor or the surrogate.

Was Benjamin F. Bexford a competent witness for the administrators and administratrix, or either of them, on their accounting? Their bond as administrator and administratrix was joint, and Bexford signed it as one of their sureties. He gave evidence for them which tended to relieve them from personal liability for a portion of the property of the deceased mentioned in the inventory; and the bond which he executed was conditioned that such administrators and administratrix should faithfully execute the trust reposed in them, as such; and also, that they should obey all orders of the surrogate, touching the administration of the estate committed to them, (2 R. S. 77, § 42.) The decree of the surrogate, making the administrators and administratrix personally liable for a portion of the assets of the deceased, would be evidence against Rexford in an action against him on his bond. (See Douglass v. Howland, 24 Wend. 55; Rapelye v. Prince, 4 Hill, 119; Cowen & Hill’s Notes, p. 984; 1 Greenl. Ev. §§ 390, 392, 393, 395, 397.) He therefore had a direct interest in the result of the proceedings before the surrogate, in favor of the administrators and administratrix; and for this reason was an incompetent witness for them or either of them. (1 Greenl. Ev. § 386. 2 Cowen’s Tr. 2d ed. 964. 1 Phil. Ev. 54. Woods v. Skinner, 6 Paige, 76.)

Executors and administrators, in making up their accounts, are, first, to charge themselves with the amount of the property of the deceased contained in the inventory, at the appraised value. (Kirtland’s Surrogate, 197 and 392.) They are then to make themselves debtor for the increase to the same; such as interest that has accrued on debts owing to the deceased, and property and demands which have been disco vei'ed subsequent to the taking of the inventory; next, sums for which they have sold property, exceeding its appraised value; and then all other increase to the inventory, and the items thereof. The whole increase being added to the value of the property, as shown by the inventory, constitutes the debtor side of their accounts. The credit side of their accounts consists, first, of debts marked bad or doubtful, which have not been paid, to them, at the amounts thereof set down in the inventory; secondly, of sums for which they have necessarily sold property at less prices than its appraised value, with a list of the articles so sold; thirdly, the articles of property lost without their fault, and the cause of such loss, with the appraised value of such articles; fourthly, the particular debts, appraised as good, which they have been unable to collect by the exercise of ordinary diligence, and the reasons why they could not collect them, with the amounts of such debts, as noted in the inventory; fifthly, the debts paid by them, to whom paid and when, and the amounts thereof; sixthly, the items of their actual and necessary expenses paid in the execution of the trusts reposed in them. The sum total of such credits is then to be subtracted from the amount of the debtor side of their accounts. Following the remainder the articles of property yet unsold are to be mentioned, with the appraised value thereof, and also the reasons why they have not sold the same. And afterwards they are to set forth all other facts which are pertinent and ¡iroper to be considered by the surrogates in making up his decree. It is not absolutely necessary that the accounts of executors and administrators should in all cases be made out in the manner above stated, but such method ought to be substantially adopted.

In this case the amount at which the inventory footed, or that it was footed at all, is not mentioned by either administrator or the administratrix, by the auditor or the surrogate. In one of the petitions of appeal the amount is stated to be $42,189.68; but I have not added the figures together to see if that is the true sum.

Many errors were committed by the auditor and surrogate, which I have not mentioned; and I do not deem it necessary to notice them, for the reason that the entire decree must be reversed, and the whole case must be reheard before the surrogate, without regard to the auditor’s rejoort, or any decision made by the surrogate on the hearing heretofore had before him. (See 1 Barb. Ch. Pr. 404,431; 1 Bradf. 133; 2 id. 1.) And according to the views hereinbefore expressed, the costs of Mary Ann Merritt, Bradford Willcox and Girarles Willcox in the surrogate’s court, as well as their costs on the appeals to this court, and also the fees of the auditor and surrogate, should be charged upon and be paid out of the estate of the deceased in the hands of the administrators and administratrix ; and the costs of the administrators and administratrix in the surrogate’s court, (except the fees of the auditor and surrogate,) as well as their costs on the appeals to this court, should t?e home hy them personally. (2 R. S. 618, § 25.) And Bexford, Mygatt and Snow should pay their own costs on the appeals.

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Concurrence Opinion

Gray, J.,

concurred in the reversal, upon the ground that the administrators and administratrix and Bexford were erroneously allowed to testify; and upon the ground that Smith's receipt as guardian, to himself as administrator, was improperly received in evidence. He did not express an opinion Upon any other point.

Mason, J.

The auditor committed an error in allowing these- administrators to be sworn in behalf of each other. They were not competent witnesses for each other under the common law rules of evidence, or the statutes relative to proceedings before surrogates. And our code of procedure in civil actions has no application to proceedings in surrogates’ courts; (Woodruff v. Cox, 2 Bradford, 223; Sherman v. Youngs, 6 How. Pr. R. 318; Burritt v. Silliman, 16 Barb. 198, 201;) and the surrogate erred in basing his decree upon this evidence.

They are not competent witnesses on this final accounting before the surrogate, at common law. (Pack v. The Mayor &c. of New York, 3 Comst. 489. 1 Phil. Ev. 69.) Being a party to the record was enough to exclude them, at common law, either in behalf of themselves or their co-administrators, although they had.no interest in the suit. (4 Comst. 489.) In actions at law administrators are incompetent witnesses for each other. (1 Greenl. Ev. 371. Fort v. Gooding, 9 Barb. 371. Woods v. Skinner, 6 Paige, 76. Rogers v. Dibble, 3 id. 238. Dean v. Thornton, 3 Kernan, 266.) They were incompetent witnesses, in equity. They all gave a joint bond with sureties. They all united in returning an inventory, and all have power over the personal estate. They are all parties to these -proceedings before the surrogate on the final accounting, and are all attempting to promote their own interests by accounting for the property so as’to avoid liability. They are all equally, prima facie, liable to creditors and the next of kin for the property mentioned in the inventory. (2 Kent’s Com. 507, 8, 4th ed.; 3d ed. 414, 15. 1 Bradf. Surr. 321, 333. 2 id. 220, 221. Wright’s Ex’r’s Guide, 92, 104, 114. 2 R. S. 146-149, 3d ed.) And if we strike out the evidence of these administrators themselves there is nothing in the case showing any thing but the ordinary case of joint liability on these administrators, for all the assets embraced in the inventory ; and the rule is well settled that when an objection is made to the competency of a witness, upon testimony already given, and he is sworn and examined under the objection, the court cannot take his evidence into account in determining the question of his competency. (Mott v. Hicks, 1 Cowen, 513.) They are not competent witnesses in equity. (Clark v. Clark, 8 Paige, 153, 159. Johnson v. Corbett, 11 id. 277. Eckford v. DeKay, 6 id. 565. 2 id. 54, 60. 1 Barb. Ch. R. 585. 1 Greenl. Ev. § 361. 3 id. § 314. 2 Cowen & Hill’s Notes, 1550.)

The statute in regard to proceedings before surrogates on the final accounting makes no provision for the examination of the administrator, either in his own behalf or on hehalf of his co-administrator; except that the 55th section 2 R. S. 92, allows the administrator to support by his own oath any item of expenditure not exceeding $20, by his swearing positively to the fact of payment, specifying when and to whom such payment was made; but it expressly provides that such allowances shall not in the whole exceed $500, for payments in behalf of any one estate. The 54th section, 2 R. S. 92, does not authorize the examination of an administrator, either on his own behalf or in behalf of his co-administrator. That section only contemplates an examination at the instance of the adverse party, and no other construction has ever been put upon it. The 55th section shows that the legislature must have intended this, as it forbids the establishment of payments of over $20 in any one item, and in the aggregate not exceeding $500; and by necessary implication, therefore, forbids the idea that he can give evidence generally in regard to payments and as to the effects of the deceased which have come into his hands, and the disposition thereof. It is no answer to this objection that Whitman Willcox, one of the administrators, was called for Mrs. E. B. Smith, one of the heirs, for Mrs. Smith had not filed any objections to the account; and besides, her husband was one of the administrators whose accounts were being contested; and as Whitman Willcox, jun. died in 1845, prior to any of our enabling statutes in behalf of married women, her husband was entitled to take whatever of personal property might come to his wife from that estate. It was legally his and not his wife’s. It is entirely manifest that Whitman Willcox was examined in behalf and for the benefit of the administrators, and not the contestants. The contestants object to 'his being sworn, and the whole course of his examination shows that it is the merest pretense in the world to allege that he was called for Mrs. Smith as heir. He was called by Mr. Rexford, who appeared for both Smith and his wife—nominally for Mrs. Smith, but in reality for E. B. Smith, one of the administrators. And an equally palpable error was committed in allowing E. B. Smith to be examined as a witness in behalf of his co-administrator, Mrs. Willcox, and Whitman. And a more flagrant error was committed in. allowing Mrs. Willcox, the administratrix, to he examined as a witness in her own behalf and for Whitman, her co-administrator.

But it appears from the case that each of these administrators was not only allowed to give evidence for the other, hut they were fully examined, not by the contestants, hut by their own- counsel and in their own behalf, and their evidence, it seems from the case, must have had great control both with the auditor and surrogate upon the accounting.

There was an error committed in allowing B. E. Rexford to he sworn and examined as a ■ witness in behalf of E. B. Smith, one of the administrators. He is one of the sureties to the administrators’ bond, and was interested to reduce the amount which might he decreed against the administrators on the final accounting, as it would thereby diminish his own liability. That the surety in such a case is an incompetent witness in behalf of the administrator is a proposition too plain to be discussed. It is a stubborn and inflexible rule that if a witness has a direct interest, however small, in the event of the cause, he cannot be admitted to testify upon the trial, in favor of that interest, in any respect or degree. (Butler v. Warren, 11 John. 57. Hubbly v. Brown, 16 id. 70. id. 195. Smith v. Bradstreet, 5 Cowen, 214, 215.) The decree of the surrogate on the final accounting of the administrators is conclusive evidence against the sureties, in an action on the administrator's bond. (2 R. S. 53, 116, § 19. 12 Wend. 492. 3 McCord, 225, 412. Lucas v. Guy, 2 Bailey, 403. The Ordinary v. Coudry, 2 Hill’s S. C. R. 313. Head v. Giles, 12 Pick. 53. The People v. Dunlap, 13 John. 437.) And we so held in The People, ex rel. Trowbridge, v. Judah Pierce and others, (in MS)

The following cases are referred to as authorities holding the sureties to this bond to be 'inconrpetent witnesses for the administrators on this final accounting. (Niles v. Brockett, 15 Mass. R. 378. 3 J. J. Marsh. 461. 1 Cow. & Hill’s Notes, p. 109, n. 101. 7 Martin’s Lou. Rep. 373. Wood v. Skinner, 6 Paige, 76. Scott v. Young, 4 id. 542. 5 Watts, 225, 228, 229. 1 Phil. Ev. 49. 5 Serg. & Rawle, 371. 5 T. R. 578. 5 Cowen, 215. 4 John. 293. 11 id. 57. 16 id. 92. 4 Mass. R. 653. 2 Day, 99. 9 Cowen, 128,)

There was another error committed, both by the auditor and the surrogate, in allowing the receipt of Elisha B. Smith as guardian of Mary Ann Merritt, given to himself as administrator, for one thousand dollars paid by himself as administrator, to himself as guardian of Mrs. Merritt. Such receipt furnishes no evidence for himself as administrator. He could not make any contract as her guardian, with himself as administrator, which can be binding on her. Neither can he, with one hand as her guardian, draw a receipt to himself as administrator, and pass it over into his other hand as administrator, and claim it as evidence against his ward, of the payment of $1000, or as evidence of payment in his own behalf as administrator. . The law will not permit him to act in such a double capacity. The great danger of imposition, in such cases, has induced courts of equity to indulge in the presumption of fraud, against such acts, although the fraud may be inaccessible to the eye of the court. (9 Paige, 242. 4 Kent, 3d ed. 438. Parsons on Cont. 74, 5.) He cannot bind Mrs. Merritt, his ward, when he acts thus in a double capacity. She is. entitled to have her guardian free from such temptations, when he assumes to deal with her interests and bind her. The case in principle is analogous to that of an agent, who assumes to act for both parties in making a contract or transacting business ; (Parsons on Cont. 74, 5; Story on Agency, §§ 9, 192, 211,214,210; Dunlap’s Paley on Agency, §§ 33, 4;) in which case the law adjudges the contract or transaction presumptively fraudulent. This principle is applicable to all persons placed in situations of trust or confidence, and embraces trustees, executors, administrators guardians, agents, &c., &c. It embraces all who come within the principle.' (9 Paige, 241, 242. 5 Vesey, 678. 1 id. 287. 2 id. 317. 1 Russell & Myl. 58. 2 Myl. & K. 819. 1 Mason, 341. 6 Pick. 196. 2 John. Ch. 252. 5 id. 38. Hopk. Ch. 515. 9 Paige, 237. 4 Cowen, 103. 8 id. 502. 9 id. 234. 12 id. 355. 1 Bro. C. C. 119. 5 Paige, 650. 2 Myl. & Cr. 574. 4 id. 134. 6 Ves. 625. 1 Story’s Eq. Jur. § 315, 316. 2 Mason, 369. 1 Jac. & Walker, 294. 1 John. Ch. 27. 2 id. 394. 3 Ves. 740. 4 Denio, 575. Angell on Fire and Life Ins. 454,455. Parsons on Cont. 74, 75.)

This receipt then was not a legal voucher for Mr. Smith, for the payment of this $1000, and the charge is not helped by his ex parte affidavit, annexed to his account. This affidavit and receipt are the only evidence introduced to sustain this claim of $1000; and both the surrogate and auditor committed an error in allowing it to be proved by such evidence.

This receipt is but an admission of the person making it, and he cannot, as we have seen, make an admission for Mrs. Merritt, as guardian, in his own favor as administrator, to relieve himself from $1000, and charge it to her. Such a doctrine would subvert the rules of evidence, and make his own receipt in fact evidence in his own favor.

It is very questionable also whether Mr. Smith, as guardian, had any authority to pay over the capital of his ward’s funds without the order of the court. In allowing the maintenance of the infant, the court usually confines itself within the limits of the income of the property, and certainly without the express sanction of the court, a guardian will not be permitted, of his own accord, to break in upon the capital. (Dayton’s Surrogate, 634, 2d ed. 2 Story’s Eq. Jur. § 1355. 1 Myl. & K. 627. Stephens v. James, Jacob’s Rep. 193. Loyal v. Farlie, id. 265.) And I am inclined to think that the surrogate acted without jurisdiction in making that part of his decree wherein he directs that Mrs Merritt joay the amount found due from her to the persons named therein, and if not paid that it be a lien on her share of the Eli H. Willcox property. (2 R. S. 93, §§ 61 to 63. 2 Selden, 221.) Surrogates' courts are courts of special and limited jurisdiction. (3 Barb. 341. 1 Hill, 130. 10 Barb. 309, 523.) The extent of the surrogate's decree is limited by the statute to the particulars enumerated in section 65, 2 revised statutes, 93. (3 Barb. 341. 10 id. 309.)

The auditor allowed the certificates of third persons to be received in evidence to prove facts directly tending to vary and reduce the inventory. These certificates were introduced as vouchers. How vouchers on the final accounting are made evidence for the admistrators only to show payments of debts and legacies, and of funeral charges; and just and necessary expenses. (2 R. S. 92, § 54.) These vouchers derive their entire competency and force, as evidence for the administrators, from the statute which allows them as evidence to prove the facts stated in the statute. These certificates were allowed for the purpose of showing the decrease of the estate; that debts inventoried as dué the estate were not due, or only partly due; that they had been reduced by payments made to Whitman Willcox, jun., in his lifetime. They cannot be received as evidence to prove such facts. They are vouchers in the administrators’ hands only of the payments made by them, and are then limited to the class of facts specified in the statute, to wit: payment of debts, legacies, funeral charges, and just and necessary expenses. (2 R. S. 92, § 54.) These certificates are not made evidence by being accompanied, some of them, by the affidavits of the persons giving the certificates ; for the affidavits are extra judicial, and are not evidence. (2 Cow. & Hill’s Notes, p. 944, note 689.) It is very clear to my mind, that these certificates and extra judicial affidavits of the persons making them, are not evidence to decrease the estate, or reduce the assets as fixed by the inventory and affirmed by the oaths of the appraisers and administrators. The inventory is made by sWorn appraisers, in pursuance of the statute, and the administrators take and subscribe, an oath to be attached thereto, to the effect that .it contains a full statement of all the personal property of the deceased which has come to their knowledge, and that it is in all respects just and true, &c., (2 R. S. 85, § 16,) and the inventory must contain a statement of the securities belonging to the estate, and the amount collectable on each security. (2 R. S. 84, § 11.) The general rule undoubtedly is that the administrators aró prima facie accountable for the whole amount of the inventory at its appraised value. (Dayton’s Surrogate, 248, 267, 268 and 269. 2 Kent’s Com. 515, 516, 8th ed.; 415, 3d ed. 2 Bradf. Sur. R. 221 Wright’s Executor’s Guide, 92, 104,114. 2 R. S. 82, §§ 4, 5, 6,11. 3 id. 640, § 10, note.) And the debts inventoried and not designated as desperate must be accounted for as assets in the hands of the administrators, or good cause shown for not collecting them. ( Wright’s Ex. Guide, 92,104,114. 2 Bradf. Surr. 220. 11 Wend. 361.)

I concur with my brother Balcom in opinion, that the item of $5512.20, charged in Mrs. Smith’s account for moneys paid Eli H. Willcox, were improperly allowed by the auditor and surrogate, for the reasons stated in the opinion of Justice Balcom, and for the additional reason that testimony was improperly allowed to prove this item, and it is not proved by other evidence.

[Broome General Term, January 5, 1858.

The statute of limitations furnishes a complete bar to Mr. Smith’s claim for the two notes of $735.59 and $800, paid by him at the Chenango Bank, July 8,1845, and in October, 1845 ; (Treat v. Fortune, 2 Bradf. 116;) and besides, the inventory furnishes presumptive evidence, at least, that this claim, if it ever existed, had been extinguished. And in addition to this, the confession of the judgment by Smith on 17th May, 1847, for $3000, in favor of this estate, is prima facie evidence to rebut the existence of any such claim. And indeed it is a most solemn admission of an actual indebtedness, on his part, to this estate, of that amount, if it is-not conclusive upon him. (5 Denio, 304. 2 Selden, 461.) And if .we strike out the evidence of Mr. Smith and Bexford, as we have seen that we are obliged to do, there is no evidence in the case to overcome the effect which the law attaches, in its presumptions, to that judgment.

Decision. Decree of the surrogate reversed; and the whole case referred back to be reheard before the county judge of Chenango county, acting as surrogate; and ordered that the costs of Mary Ann Merritt, Bradford Willcox and Charles Willcox in the surrogate’s court, as -well as their costs on the appeals to this court, and also the fees of the auditor, be charged upon and paid out of the estate of Whitman Willcox deceased, in the hands of the administrators and administratrix; and that the costs of the administrators and administratrix in the surrogate’s court (except the fees of the auditor and surrogate) .as well as their costs on the appeals to this court, be borne by them personally; and that Bexford, Mygatt and Snow pay their own costs on the appeals to this court.

Gray, Mason and Salcpm, Justices.]

Case Details

Case Name: Willcox v. Smith

Court Name: New York Supreme Court

Date Published: Jan 5, 1858

Citation: 26 Barb. 316

Court Abbreviation: N.Y. Sup. Ct.