Boylan v. Kohn , 172 Ala. 275 ( 1911 )

SOMERVILLE, J.

Terry J. Toole having been duly adjudged insane and committed to the insane hospital, three of his relatives separately filed petitions in the probate court asking for letters of guardianship. Two of these applicants are nephews and one of them is the sister of the non compos, whose estate, consisting almost entirely of land, is represented and shown to be worth about $120,000, incumbered, however, with judgments, mortgages, and other charges aggregating about $40,000. The court properly heard the several applica.tions all together, and upon the testimony adduced he decided that one of the nephews, Prank D. Kohn, was entitled to letters of guardianship, and ordered and decreed accordingly, at the same time denying the petitions of the other nephew and of the sister, Mrs. Annie U. Boylan. Prom this decree, Mrs. Boylan prosecutes this appeal, asking that the letters issued to appellee be revoked, and that a decree be here rendered for her in accordance with the prayer of her petition.

Section 4359, Code 1907, is: “If there are two or more applicants for the guardianship of a person of- unsound mind, the court must prefer that person wlm is of nearest relationship, and will, in the judgment of the court, best manage the estate of the ward.” This has been the form of the statute since the Code of 1886. In the Codes of 1867 (section 2452) and 1876 (section 2756) the statute read: “In cases where there are two or more applications for letters of guardianship, by persons equally related, he must appoint that person who, in his opinion, will best manage the estate of the ward.” Prior to the Code of 1867, the selection of guardians was controlled only by such common-law principles as were generally recognized in the American State. The general rule is thus stated: “While there is no rule of law excluding the heirs or next of bin, on the other hand there is no rule of absolute preference of relatives; the court selecting the committee with a view to the best interests of the lunatic, beeping in view always the possibility of his recovery.” — 16 Am. &Eng. Ency. Law, 575. And again: “In choosing a guardian there is no rule of law which prefers relatives over strangers, or the reverse; but the court will do whatever is best for the lunatic. If it appears that the heirs at law or next of bin of the party are most lihely to protect his property from loss, one of these will be appointed; but it is discretionary with the court to appoint a stranger.” — 22 Cyc. 1139, 1140. This language is, we thinb, fully sustained by the reported cases. In its general aspects, at least, the guardianship of insane persons does not differ from that of infants, and the selection of a guardian in either case, subject to a preference hereafter noted, is governed by the same principles substantially.

A determination of the merits of the conflicting claims of the two applicants for letters of guardianship depends in a large measure upon the construction which must be given to section 4359 of the Code. The appellant (the sister) insists that the statute leaves in . the court no discretion as between relatives of different degree, but is mandatory in favor of the nearest relative, if that relative be fit and competent, regardless of the superior qualifications of any other applicant whose relationship is more remote; in other words, that the only discretion the court can exercise is in choosing between relatives of the same degree. And she asserts that the evidence submitted to the court conclusively shows that she is both fit and competent. The appellee (the nephew), on the other hand, contends that at common law the selection and appointment was within the unrevisable discretion of the court, and that this discretion has not been impaired by the statute; and on this theory he moves to dismiss the appeal. He further claims that, however this may be, his selection by the court was proper and justifiable as a judicial finding, on the testimony and facts in evidence. The decree recites that the court, “after hearing all testimony offered by the parties in support of their respective motions, is of the opinion that Frank D. Kohn, by reason of superior fitness for the duties of the office, is the proper person to serve as guardian of the estate of the said Terry J. Toole, and that of the three applicants for appointment as guardian he will, in the judgment of the court, best manage the estate of the ward.”

We are clearly of the opinion that both of these theories of the statute are erroneous. Its language could only have been intended to 'fix in favor of the nearest relative a preference already recognized by the courts in practice, but which was the outgrowth of an original discretion, by which is meant a liberal judicial discretion, subject to revision on appeal only in cases of manifest abuse. But, while the statute thus creates what may be termed a right in favor of the nearest relative, it is a strictly qualified and subordinate right. The paramount consideration of the law has always been the best interests of the ward and of his estate, and this is peculiarly the case in respect to the selection of his guardian. And when the law declares a preference in favor of any class of persons, it is only because of the assumption, sanctioned by the laws of human nature and experience, that the person thus preferred will best administer the trust in favor of the ward, and not because the law recognizes any rights inhering in relationship per se. This principle is not only recognized in the statute, but is enjoined in mandatory terms. And we can entertain no doubt, in view of the declared principles of the common law, and the plain language of the statute itself, that the advantage of the estate remains the paramount purpose of the law, and overshadows in importance any claims of relatives to undertake its management, whether their claims be prompted by the 'prospect of selfish profit, or by sentiments of unselfish service.

In the case of infants, since the laws of nature as well as of society commit their custody and nurture to their parents, it is deemed important for. obvious reasons that parents should be preferred as guardians also for their children’s estates. And hence our statute provides that the “father, if a suitable cwvd proper person, and willing to give bond and qualify as guardian, is entitled to a preference.” — Code, § 4339. It will be observed that in this single instance the best management of the estate is subordinated to other interests, and the only test applied is general fitness for the care of the infant’s estate. But, in dealing with guardianships other than a father’s, what is the language employed? The statute is: “If there be two or more applicants for the guardianship of a minor, the judge of probate must prefer that person who is of nearest relationship, and will, in the opinion of the judge, best manage the estate of the. Avard.” — Code, 4342. This statute, though slightly variant in phraseology, is identical in meaning and effect with its congener, section 4359. The change in the language indicative of the test which the court is to.apply in giving effect to the preference in favor of a father, and of the nearest relative merely, is highly significant, and we think decisive of the construction to he given to the latter provision. And, if such is its meaning in respect to infants, it can surely mean nothing else when applied to insane persons.

We therefore hold that, under section 4359 of the Code, it is the duty of the prohate court to appoint as guardian that applicant, if suitable and proper, who is nearest of kin, provided he can best manage the estate; but, if in the judgment of the court another applicant, though of remoter relationship, can best manage the estate, he should he appointed in preference to any other, and, if none of the relatives applying are suitable and proper persons, then the court may and should reject them all, and appoint the general guardian of the county, or the sheriff, as prescribed by section 4360.

We further hold that from such a decree an appeal lies to this court under section 2837 of the Code, and that this court will review the action of the probate court in the selection and appointment of such guardian; but, its action in this regard resting in-a sound judicial discretion, it will not he disturbed by this court unless the record shows a manifest abuse of that discretion.

It appears from the evidence in the record that the estate here concerned is one of considerable magnitude and value, and that its future prospects are complicated by the existence of burdens in the way of mortgages and other lien charges upon it to the extent of about one-third of its value. It includes about 400 acres of farm lands, and, in view of the exigencies of its proper care and management, as well as of the fiscal problems that harass and perhaps threaten the integrity and safety of the estate, the probate judge was no doubt decisively influenced in his choice, not only by considerations of the sex and comparative experience and business ability of the applicants, but also of their, comparative age and physical strength. In the ordinary course of nature, a woman of 68 might not be long able to personally cope with the duties and difficulties here forecast, and a change of guardians might soon become necessary, with inevitable expense and disadvantage to the estate. And this contingency, it has been said, is entitled to great weight in making the selection. — Bennett v. Byrne, 2 Barb. Ch. (N. Y.) 216. The personal custody of this ward has'been committed to the insane hospital, and hence the superior fitness of the sister, if it could be conceded in a case of adult insanity, for ministering to his personal comfort and well-being, can find no field for expression here.

Without determining whether, in the exercise of his judgment in such a matter as this, the probate judge is confined exclusively to the information which petitioners may choose to present to him through their witnesses, and, without undertaking -to pass upon the absolute weight of the evidence before us, we are convinced that there has been no abuse of its discretion by the probate court, and that its action ought not to be disturbed.

Affirmed.

Simpson, McClellan, and Mayfield, JJ., concur.