Spellman v. Dowse , 79 Ill. 66 ( 1875 )

Mr. Justice Walker

delivered the opinion of the Court:

In the view we take of this case, we deem it only necessary to determine the question whether the court had jurisdiction of the subject matter in litigation, when the decree was rendered ordering the sale of the lot. This is by no means a collateral proceeding. It is a continuation and part of the proceeding instituted for license to sell lands belonging to minors, under the statute; and the order appealed from was rendered confirming a sale made under a former decree of the court ordering the sale of the lot. Although this report may have been made by the person acting as guardian for appellants, and presented seven or eight years after the sale and report were made, still the motion and order form a part of the original case, and, on the hearing thereof, any objection could be urged that could, had the application been made at the next term after the sale, and the want of jurisdiction of the subject matter may be shown at any stage of the proceeding, and until every order or step required by the statute has been taken and completed.

Then, had the court jurisdiction to hear the case and render the decree?

The statute in force when this application was made, provides that “application for the sale of such real estate shall be made in the-county where the ward shall reside, although the estate may lie in a different county; but if the ward do not reside in this State, such application shall be made to the court where the whole or a part of the estate shall be situated.”

The evidence shows that the wards, at the time, before and after this petition was filed,'resided in the State of Ohio, and the petition describes the land as being in the city of Chicago, and county of Cook; hence the statute was not complied with. If the wards resided in Ohio, the statute is imperative that the petition should have been filed and the proceedings had in Cook county. There is no land sought to be sold described as lying in Will county. The minors residing in Ohio at the time, and none of the lands being in Will county, the statute is explicit that the petition should have been filed in Cook county.

A compliance with the statute in this respect is essential to confer jurisdiction. The whole proceeding is statutory, and the requirements of the statute in this respect are jurisdictional. The court can only proceed legally at the place and in the manner prescribed by the statute. Any material deviation from its requirements, as to the court in which the proceeding must be had, is fatal to the jurisdiction of the court. Now, the evidence in the record shows the minors were not residents of the State, nor does the decree find that they were, even if, in this direct proceeding, such a finding would conclude appellants from proving they were not residents of the State. The proceeding is summary, and involves the interests of persons usually of tender years, and incapable of protecting their own interest, and being a proceeding liable to great abuse, the statute has always been construed strictly. But to hold that the court does not acquire jurisdiction, if the suit is not brought in the county designated by the statute, is by no means a strict construction. It is but following-the plain and unambiguous requirement of the statute.

In cases of this character, abuses and wrongs to the minor are easily perpetrated, and especially so where the proceeding is had when he resides in another State, and has no notice of the proceeding. In this case the minors testify that they Avere, at the time, supporting themselves by their OAvn efforts, and that there was no necessity for a sale of this lot.

This evidence is not referred to as contradicting or OA-er-coming the finding of the decree, but as showing that, had it been heard, the court Avould have refused to order the sale. But that was had on ex parte eA'idence, the minors not being represented. It does not always occur that guardians are true to their sacred trust, and, from Avant of judgment, or for other reasons, they are often induced to take measures to dispose of lands of their Avards, Avithout necessity and at great loss. Hence the courts are required to insist upon at least a substantial compliance Avith the requirements of the laAV. We have no hesitation in saying that the evidence in this record shoAvs a Avant of jurisdiction in the court to render the decree, and for this reason the court beloAV erred in approving the sale.

It is urged that MatheAvson, and not Preston, was guardian of appellants at the time the application Avas made. If a person, having no letters of guardianship, Avere to apply for the sale of land of a minor, claiming to be his guardian, the proceeding could be defeated for the Avant of a proper party as petitioner. It is only by the poAver conferred by the appointment of the guardian that he becomes invested Avith authority to ask for the sale of the minor’s real estate, or for the court to pass such a decree. If, then, Preston had never been appointed guardian for these minors, or had been appointed and his letters had been revoked, the proceedings under the petition could be defeated by shoAving the fact, Avhatever might be the effect of the decree in a collateral proceeding.

Other questions were raised on the argument, but we are unable to see that they have any force.

For the error indicated, the order confirming the sale must be reversed and the cause remanded for further proceedings.

Decree reversed.