Henderson v. Chaires
Henderson v. Chaires
Opinion of the Court
In the original opinion we treated the 4th and 6th errors as practically abandoned because there was no argument on them before us. The membership of the court having changed after the first argument, and the-petition for rehearing having brought to our attention that on that argument these errors were discussed, we granted a rehearing because of our omission to consider them.
The 4th' error is that “ the court should not have con firmed the reports of the Commissioners on the same day they were made and filed without giving the defendants an opportunity of excepting to them.” It is shown by the record that notice of applications to confirm the reports was given to the attorney of defendants — the first, one day, and the second five days beforehand. But if that had not been done we are not prepared to say that any notice was necessary, though it would be better practice to give it. The proceeding was a statutory one which says the statute “ shall be in a summary way,” the only notice required being ten days notice to the executors or administrators previous to the hearing. Under a similar statute in Alabama it was held not to be necessary that the petitioners should have notice of the confirmation of the report, and that if they were injured by it they should move to set it aside. Adams vs. Barron, 13 Ala., 205. The same rule-would apply to the defendants. The confirmation of the-reports in the present case was not error.
The 6th error is that “ the court ought to have refused to-confirm the reports of the commissioners because more real and personal property is allotted * for dower than the-statutes authorize.” Wé are shown nothing against the-
But as the main litigation in the case has been decided in her favor the costs should be paid by the defendants out of the estate, except those which accrued in connection with this report, and it is so ordered.
Eor error in confirming the report as to personalty the decree must be reversed, but without prejudice to the petitioner, if she should choose to institute other appropriate proceeding to recover her portion of the estate which is the subject matter of said report.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- John A. Henderson and Samuel P. Chaires, Executors, &c. v. M. M. Chaires
- Status
- Published
- Syllabus
- 1. Under tlie statute providing a summary mode for tlie allotment of dower, notice of the application to confirm the report of tbe commissioners appointed to make tlie allotment, is not necessary. ' • 3. The allotment must be in property of which the husband “ died possessed” and the commissioners have no authority to allot mesne profits, or other proceeds acquired, after the death of the husband, though the widow may be entitled to these, and may recover them in some other proper proceeding. It was error to confirm a report making allotment in such after-acquired part of the estate.