Other branches of this litigation have heretofore been twice before this court. Dillen v. Fancher,
Appellant is the daughter of appellee and the late Dotson Fancher, she being one of the two heirs-at-law of the latter. Dotson Fancher died testate. In his will, which was duly probated, he named appellee and his father, W. A. Fancher, his executors, with the provision that, upon the death of either, the survivor should continue as sole executor. W. A. Fancher preceded the testator in death and appellee is and has been sole executrix of said estate. The will provided that no bond should be required and no accounting should be made to any court. Letters were issued to appellee without a bond and she has filed no accounts with the probate court.
Appellant filed in the probate court a petition praying that appellee be required to make bond, and to file *Page 996 inventory, appraisal and accounting, or be discharged as executrix. This petition was denied. An appeal was taken to the circuit court and was again denied. It is now on appeal to this court.
The question presented is: Shall the provisions of the will control, regardless of statutory provisions? Section 22 of Pope's Digest requires bond to be given before the granting of letters. Section 51 provides that executors and administrators shall take possession of decedent's personal property and make a true inventory thereof. Section 580 requires an appraisement thereof. Other sections provide for the filing of settlements and accountings.
The clear intention of Mr. Fancher, as expressed in his will, was that his wife, and his father, or the survivor of them should serve, in this case his wife, as executrix without giving bond and without making reports and settlements. In Bankhead v. Hubbard,
Here, appellant is a remainderman in the estate of her father, — her mother, the appellee, being the life tenant. Dillen v. Fancher,
We think the matter of requiring bond and accounting rests largely in the discretion of the probate court, and that this court should not interpose to control such discretion unless a manifest abuse thereof is shown, and none is either alleged or proven in this case.
The judgment must, therefore, be affirmed.
