Cunningham v. Schley
Cunningham v. Schley
Opinion of the Court
After the expiration of one year from the grant of administration, any distributee may cite an administrator to appear before the Ordinary, who is authorized “to settle finally” between the parties. Code, secs. 2556-7; see, also, sees. 1790 to 1792, “final settlement” alone is provided for. By section 2512 the Ordinary may order the distribution of the estate in kind; but we apprehend this could not take place in less than twelve months, for “the administrator shall be allowed twelve months, from the date of his qualification, to ascertain the condition of the estate.” Age. 2193. “No suit to recover a debt due by the decedent shall be commenced against the administrator until the expiration of twelve months from his qualification.” Gode 2507. These are all the provisions we find authorizing the Ordinary to make a settlement of the affairs of the estate; and, we think, all taken together, show clearly that no proceedings can be sustained against the administrator for a settlement, either final or partial, within the twelve months.
But it is contended that this is not an application for a settlement, either partial or final — it is not a proceeding at the instance of an heir or legatee, but of a ward of the testator, to have delivered to him, in specie, property which the testator had set apart as the property of this ward, and, therefore, the statutes referred to are inapplicable to the case.
Then, we enquire, where is the authority under our laws, for the Ordinary, in this summary manner, to take out of the posseesion of the executors this property and turn it over
Judgment affirmed.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.