Sickles v. Largent , 1 Tex. L. R. 467 ( 1882 )

Watts, J.

Opinion by Appellee asserts that as Mrs. Sickles did not caake herself a party plaintiff in the capacity of executrix of the last will of her deceased husband until more than twelve months liad elapsed from the rendition of the first judgment, that, therefore, this could not be maintained as a second suit of trespass to try sitie. And it was upon that fheoiy that tbe court proceeded in rendering the judgment against appellants.

ISTow, if the suit, as brought, and as it stood prior to the amend-Hient in- which the executrix, as such, becomes a party plaintiff, was 30 fatally defective as to parties that no cause of action was therein presented, it would certainly follow that the former judgment rendiered against these plaintiffs in the same capacity would in no way effect the right of the executrix to maintain a suit for the land. 'Such a judgment would not, if that doctrine was true, be res adjuxdicata as to the executrix, nor would she be estopped thereby.

In the absence of anything appearing to the contrary in the record, the property sued for must be considered as community, of which the wife was entitled to one-half, subject to the payment of community debts. Tbe statute then in force did not require the executrix to institute a suit for tbe trial of title to land until the court had made an order directing such suit. (General Laws ISIS, page 112, section 10.)

Whether under the statute sucli an order was or not essential to -.the maintainance of the action by the executrix, is not necessary for -as to determine.

But where no such order is shown to have been made, it would seem to follow that those interested in the property might maintain She suit; and the coming in of the executrix, as such, does not constitute the dismissal of the old and the institution of a new suit.

The rule invoked by tbe appellee and applied by the court below as not applicable to the circumstances of this case. For aught that •-appears upon the record, Mrs. Sickles was a proper party at the time Tihe suit was brought; she, as surviving wife, had a substantial in. ".Serest in the property that could not be defeated by the will of the ..•husband, for her interest was equal to his, and, after his death, it could not be defeated by his will; and, as she was a proper pari\_ plaintiff, the mere fact that another proper plaintiff was subsequently made would not have the effect assigned to it by the court There was no conflict of interest as between the plaintiffs; the executrix came in to assist, and not to deprive, the then plaintiffs ©S' any right to recover the land. It appears that the plaintiff, in kcv capacity as executrix, was acting harmoniously with the otiien plaintiffs; all bent upon the common object of trying the title 1© and securing the land for the estate and parties interested in it.

We conclude that the judgment of the court below was error,;— ous; that it ought to be reversed and the cause remanded.

Report of Commissioners of Appeal examined, their opinio;; adopted, the judgment reversed and cause remanded.

Gould, C. J.