Berry v. Hopkins ( 1873 )

Opinion by

Judge Lindsay:

An ordinary action under the provisions of the 437th section of the Civil Code to revive a judgment against a personal representative of a deceased judgment debtor is such a suit against a personal representative as is contemplated by the 437th section of the code, and as the necessary affidavit and demand had not been made before this suit was instituted the petition was properly dismissed as to Hopkins, administrator. Curry's Adm’r v. Bryant’s Adm’r, 7 Bush 301.

Nor can appellant complain because it was dismissed as to the infant, Mary J. Hopkins. He had no right to have the judgment against his ancestor revived against her. The lands descending to her could not be sold even by a court of equity until the personal assets of her mother’s estate in the hands of the administrator had first been exhausted,

J. W. Anderson, for appellant. T. L. Given, for appellee.

The petition infererttially but unmistakably shows that assets' of some sort and to some amount did come to his hands. If they are insufficient to pay appellant’s' debt, he must resort to his equitable action as authorized by Sections 465 and 466 of the Civil Code, Section 10, Chapter 40, Revised Statutes. A common law court will not aid him in subjecting the lands of the heir whilst there is personal estáte in the hands of the administrator still being administered.

The judgment dismissing appellant’s petition does not constitute a bar to future proceedings, although it does not state in terms that the dismissal was without prejudice.

It is apparent upon the face of the order that the cause was not heard upon its merits.

Judgment affirmed.