Robbins v. Riales
Robbins v. Riales
Opinion of the Court
This action is without question one based on Code § 113-1102, which is as follows: “If any person, without authority of law, wrongfully intermeddles with, or converts to his own use, the personalty of a deceased individual whose estate has no legal representative, he shall be held and deemed an executor in his own wrong, and as such shall be liable to the creditors and heirs or legatees of such estate for double the value of the property so possessed or converted by him; nor shall such executor be allowed to set off any debt due to him by the deceased, or voluntarily paid by him out of the assets. If such executor dies, his legal representatives shall be liable in the same manner, and to the same extent, as he would be if he were still living.” This Code section is in derogation of common law and must be strictly construed. It is a harsh remedy in that it provides a one hundred percent penalty based on the value of property involved plus the denial of benefits which could otherwise accrue to the defendant. For a petition under this section to be
The court erred in overruling the renewed general demurrer to the petition.
Judgment reversed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- ROBBINS v. RIALES
- Cited By
- 4 cases
- Status
- Published