Wilkinson, Gaddis & Co. v. Markert , 36 Vroom 518 ( 1900 )

The opinion of the court was delivered by

Collins, J.

The statute on which rests the right to discovery in aid of execution {Gen. Slat., ¶. 1419) enacts (section 26) that, after considering the evidence taken under the order for discovery, it shall be lawful for the judge to make order appointing a receiver of the property or things in action belonging or due to or held in trust for the judgment debtor at the time of the issuing of the execution or at any time afterward, and (section 27) that in case no such property or thing in action shall be discovered, the petition of the judgment creditor shall be dismissed. The anomalous order made in the case in hand was entirely unauthorized. We proceed to inquire, therefore, what order should have been made, for by section 29 of the act this court is required, upon certiorari, to make such order.

It is objected in limine that an order for discovery in aid of execution cannot be made against a judgment debtor of unsound mind. This objection is without foundation. Lunatics are suable in the same way as other persons. The court protects their rights by assigning one of its attorneys to defend them. Van Horn v. Harm, 10 Vroom 207. This was done in the present case, in the original suit, in which judgment was rendered, and in the proceeding on the petition for discovery.

Of course, the lunatic cannot be examined, but the debtor’s personal examination is not necessary ii| any case. Relief may be awarded on other testimony. Colton v. Bigelow, 12 Vroom 266; Seyfert v. Edison, 18 Id. 428, 431.

It is next urged that the appointment of a receiver is discretionary and the action of the judge not reviewable. The discretion to appoint or deny a receiver is legal, not arbitrary. The judge cannot lawfully refuse to appoint a receiver if there be presented to him competent evidence of assets.' Journeay v. Brown, 2 Dutcher 111; Colton v. Bigelow, ubi supra.

In the case in hand the examination brought before us, by virtue of section 29 of the act, discloses no assets except an eighth interest in the estate of the lunatic’s mother. It is urged that neither such interest nor its nature was proved, because the will was not legally in evidence, but the proof on that subject was satisfactory to the judge, as his order evinces. Ho objection was taken that the proof was too meager to be effectual. Had it been, the defect could have been supplied. It was proved that the executors of the mother’s will had made to the guardian of the lunatic a payment on account of his interest in his mother’s estate, and that they held undistributed assets pending final accounting. This put upon the lunatic’s representatives the burden of disproof of a prima facie ease. This burden was not borne by any competent evidence, and the plaintiff’s effort to probe the general testimony of discharge that 'was given was frustrated by the judge’s relegation of the inquiry to the Orphans’ Court. A receiver should have been appointed, if for no other reason than to have someone with a standing to present exceptions and be heard in that court. . The same may be said with respect to the claim that the arrangement with the executors for reimbursement for advances for the lunatic’s support is an equitable assignment of his interest in the estate. The judge, on an application for receiver, should not decide collateral questions of fact or law; but, if there be dispute, should appoint a receiver, that he may present those questions appropriately for decision. Colton v. Bigelow, ubi supra.

Let the order under review be set aside, and let an order be made in this court appointing a receiver in conformity with the statute.