Sewell v. Sewell
Sewell v. Sewell
Opinion of the Court
When the bill Of complaint or petition makes these averments, and it is duly sworn to, as in this cause, and is filed in the circuit court, then the order of removal of the administration of the estate must be made by the circuit court, and then the jurisdiction of the probate court of the administration of the estate ends and the jurisdiction of the circuit court begins. These averments sworn to give the bill on its face equity. Acts 1911, p. 574; Acts 1915, p. 738, amending section 3, Act 1911, p. 574; Coker v. Robertson, 205 Ala. 344, headnote 1, 87 South. 321.
The bill avers that the decedent died intestate, seized and possessed of 232 acres of land; 74 acres of it were set apart to the widow as dower, and the balance, 148 acres, was set apart to the widow as her homestead by the probate court; and that she is now dead. These two branches—dower and homestead—of this estate appeared in this court. Dake v. Sewell, 145 Ala. 581, 39 South. 819; Sewell v. Sewell, 156 Ala. 616, 47 South. 204.
The bill avers that. L. F. Sewell and others, heirs of decedent, have filed petition in the probate court to sell the 232 acres of land for division among the joint owners, the heirs, because it cannot be equitably partitioned among them. The bill seeks to enjoin the sale of the land by decree of the probate court, and for this circuit court to order a sale of it for that purpose by him individually and as administrator. It appears after the bill was filed the probate court rendered decree of sale, and the property was advertised for sale. The court on the hearing granted the temporary injunction enjoining and restraining the sale of the property. The respondents demurred to the bill. The demurrers were overruled by the court. These decrees are assigned as errors. The bill describes the property, gives the names, ages, and residences of all the heirs, and gives accurately the interest of each in it; it also avers the property cannot be equitably partitioned among them.
“In such case, the chancery court [now circuit court, in equity] should not interfere with its continued exercise, unless, the circumstances are such as to render the power of the probate court inadequate to do complete justice.” Marshall v. Marshall, 86 Ala. 383, 5 South. 475.
Are the powers of the probate court of Cherokee county adequate to do complete justice among all the parties under all the facts in that proceeding?
There are four separate and distinct life estates in undivided interest in the land, and of necessity there are at least four separate and distinct remainder interests. If the property is sold, those entitled to the different life interest shares must, before receiving it, execute suitable and sufficient bonds for the protection of those entitled to the different reversions in that share; and on failure to give bonds' the money should be loaned out and the interest paid annually to the respective owners of the different life interests and the principal preserved for the remaindermen. The probate court has not the power to make and execute such decrees; that power is in the circuit court, in equity. Chaney v. Chaney, 38 Ala. 35; Mason v. Pate, 34 Ala. 379; section 5227, Code 1907.
A court of equity, when joint owners or tenants in common by application seek to sell land for division among the joint owners or tenants in common, has the power to determine all questions of title and to remove all clouds upon the title. The court of equity in such a cause “may adjust the equities between and- determine all claims of the several cotenants, as well as the equities and claims of the incumbrancers. Sections 5232, 5233, Code 1907; Long v. Long, 195 Ala. 560, 70 South. 733. The probate court has no power to remove the cloud on title. It has no power to relieve the land of in-cumbrances. It has no power to adjust the equities between and determine all claims of the cotenants. This court in Marshall v. Marshall, 86 Ala. 389; 5 South. 477, in writing on this subject, said:
“The probate court has no power to compensate for inequalities in the partition; nor to take an account of rents; nor to provide for relieving the lands of incumbrances; nor to 'adjust and equalize the advancements among the tenants in common, when the lands descended from a common ancestor. Only the powers of a court of equity are ample to accomplish these purposes. These facts and exigencies call for its interference, in order that complete justice may be done. Wilkinson v. Stewart, 74 Ala. 198.”
There is equity in the bill. The demurrers were to the bill — the entire bill. They were properly overruled by the court. The court did not err in granting on the hearing the injunction, because it appears from the allegations of the sworn bill and ex parte affidavits that there are some facts and circumstances of special equitable cognizance shown to exist, on account of which the probate court is without power to decree adequate and complete justice in the cause; and it is necessary for a court of equity to interfere to do complete justice.
We find no error in the record.
Affirmed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- SEWELL Et Al. v. SEWELL
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