Alexander v. Steele , 84 Ala. 332 ( 1887 )

STONE, C. J.

This case was before us at a former term. Alexander v. Alexander, 70 Ala. 212. The questions then considered were raised only by deanurrer to the bill, which the chancellor had overruled. We affirmed the ruling of the chancellor, holding that John D. Alexander, first executor, and afterwards administrator de bonis non with the will annexed of Joseph M. Alexander, had made no valid final settlement of his said trust, and that the bill contained equity. There was- implied in this ruling, that other incontestable postulate, that all executors, administrators and guardians may rightfully be brought to a settlement of the trust they have assumed, unless they have made a lawful final settlement, or unless twenty years have elapsed during which time no active function pertaining to the trust has been performed. — Austin v. Jordan, 35 Ala. 642. And this right does not depend on the state of the accounts. It may be invoked by any one having a rightful, immediate interest in the succession. It is a right, not necessarily for the recovery of money or property, but to have a judicial ascertainment of the stains of the trust — to have it authoritatively determined whether the trusts have been fully performed. If there has been full administration, and no fault, the trustee must be discharged. If not, he must be held to account. If he has been wantonly and needlessly harrassed, he should be compensated so far as practicable in the adjustment of the costs. It is his legal duty, however, to make a settlement, and if nothing more than this is required of him, he is without cause for complaint. It is only when this boundary is transgressed, and he is put to unnecessary expense, that his claim for apportionment of costs should be entertained.

Since the former hearing in this court, testimony has been taken, and a final decree rendered by the chancellor. Following the judgment of this court, he declared that the complainants were entitled to relief, and directed that John I). Alexander file his account-current and vouchers with the register; and gave other general directions for making the settlement. He decided nothing, in the shape of instructions to the register or otherwise, in reference to the justness of charges sought to be fastened on the executor, nor in reference to counter claims set up by him. The decree left these several matters open until the coming in of the report. Under the pleadings and testimony is this cause, and under the rules of law laid down above, there was no error in this, even if it be shown that the executor has committed no devastavit, or default. It is simply an order that lie do what the law commands him to do — make a settlement. — Hooper v. Smith, 57 Ala. 557; Cook v. Cook, 69 Ala. 294; Vincent v. Daniel, 59 Ala. 602.

It is contended for appellant that the decree in this case

must be reversed, because Mrs. Steele, when made a party complainant, was a married woman, and she did not have her husband associated with her in the .prosecution of the suit. Whatever there may have been in this objection, if it had been raised in the life time of Mr. Steele, it ceased to be material when Mrs. Steele became discovert by the d§ath of her husband. The same objection is urged in reference to the other ■ complainant, Mrs Chapman. When the bill was filed she was Miss Alexander, and unmarried Pending the suit she intermarried with Chapman, and prosecuted the suit in her marital name — having the change noted in the record by an amendment of the pleadings, but did not bring in her husband as a party with her. This was an error, as the statute then stood — Baines v. Barnes, 64 Ala. 375; Sawyers v. Baker, 66 Ala. 292; Sims v. Nat. Com. Bank, 73 Ala. 248; Bolman v. Lohman, 74 Ala. 507. This objection, however, does not appear to have been raised in the court below, and we will not make it a ground of reversal.

The most severely contested question raised by the record is, whether the defendant is to be held accountable for the loss sustained by the failure of Patrick, Irwin & Co. Administrators are not insurers. They must be honest, and faithful in intention, and must bring to the service that measure of diligence which an ordinarily prudent man bestows on his business transactions of a similar character. And surrounding circumstances must be taken into the estimate. — Gould v. Hayes, 19 Ala. 438; Henderson v. Simmons, 33 Ala. 291; Ferguson v. Lowery, 54 Ala. 510; Foscue v. Lyon, 55 Ala. 440; s. c. 60 Ala. 468; Nunn v. Nunn, 66 Ala. 35; Moore v. Randolph, 70 Ala. 575. We know not what proof may be made on the reference, and do not undertake to decide the question of liability for this alleged default.

We have held that John D. Alexander’s Probate Court settlement of Joseph M. Alexander’s estate was void. Still, if' in the settlement of Dewitt C. Alexander’s estate he charged himself with funds coming to the latter estate from the former, and accounted for the same, he must have proper credit therefor. He must not be required to pay the same liability twice. — Vincent v. Martin, 79 Ala. 540. So, if he has rightful claims against the complainants for over payments in his accounts as guardian for them, lie should have the benefit of them.

The alleged payment on account of the joint suretyship of Joseph M. and John D, Alexander for Horn may also become important in ascertaining any balance of Joseph M.’s estate in John D.’s hands for distribution. That question is perhaps not fully developed in this record. — Alexander v. Fisher, 18 Ala. 374.

We find no error in the record.

Affirmed.