Citation Numbers: 41 A.2d 180, 114 Vt. 109
Judges: JEFFORDS, J.
Filed Date: 10/3/1944
Status: Precedential
Modified Date: 1/13/2023
I concur in the result of the foregoing opinion, but I regret to say that I am not in accord with everything that is contained in it.
I take it as granted that the selection of a suitable person as administrator d.b.n., c.t.a. under the provisions of P.L. 2784 lies in the discretion of the probate court or, as here, of the county court sitting as a higher court of probate, and that such discretion will not be revised in the absence of a clear showing that it has been abused or withheld. And the test of an abuse is a showing that the discretion has been exercised on grounds or for reasons clearly untenable or to an extent clearly unreasonable. Temple v. Atwood,
As the opinion points out, an executor de son tort is not ineligible for appointment as administrator. If appointed, all acts previously done in relation to the estate, which would have been legal and proper, if he had been the legal administrator, are validated and he is required to account to the Probate Court as if he had always been in office. Alford v. Marsh, 12 Allen 603, 604; Hatch v. Proctor,
The existence of an adverse interest does not per se disqualify a person or corporation from appointment as administrator. Under certain circumstances a creditor of the estate may be appointed. P.L. 2775 — II. And "there is nothing vicious in allowing an estate to be administered by one indebted to it." Ford v. Peck,
116 Kan 481, 227 P. 527; McFry v. Casey,
I am, however, in accord with my associates in what is said concerning the claim against the appellee based upon its liability as executor de son tort. Whether this liability was assumed at the time of the consolidation of the City Trust Company and the Howard National Bank, or at the time of the expiration of the City Trust Company's charter is not necessary to decide. Since, as has been said, the appointment of an executor de son tort as administrator relates back it follows that the taking possession of the estate would be validated, and the claim for conversion of the assets would no longer exist. The liability of an executor de son tort is enforceable in an appropriate proceeding either at law, or in equity, brought against the intermeddler by the legally appointed administrator, and not before the probate court. Shaw v. Hallihan,
On argument counsel for the appellee called attention to certain evidence in the case, to the effect that over a period of years, while the appellee was executor de son tort, the appellants raised no objection to the handling of the estate by it, corresponded with it and treated it as the legal executor, consented to a partial decree of distribution and received from it the sums of money so decreed, without questioning its authority. It was suggested that this evidence should be embodied in findings, to be used as a guide to the court's discretion, if the appellant's requests should be granted.
It has been held that when an executor de son tort has acted with reference to an estate with the consent of the interested parties, it is inequitable for them to insist upon the liability which legally accompanies the intermeddling. Blair v. Brooks,