Gray v. Obear
Gray v. Obear
Opinion of the Court
It appears from the record in this case, that an original bill had been filed by Edwin T. Gray against Obear, as the executor of his father’s will, calling upon him for an account and settlement as such executor. The defendant set up as a defense to that suit that he held the property claimed, as trustee under the will of the complainant’s deceased father, and was not bound to account to him as executor. On a former trial of that case which was brought here by a writ of error, the judgment of the court below was reversed and a new trial ordered, this court holding and deciding that a trust estate could not be created in this state for the sole benefit of a full grown man who is mi juris, and be conveyed to a trustee for the purpose of protecting it against his creditors for the payment of his debts, or for the purpose of depriving him from the free use and enjoyment of such property as the owner thereof. It did not appear on the face of the pleadings on the former trial that the alleged cestui que trust was non compos mentis, and therefore incapable of managing his own property; the defendant in his answer to the complainant’s bill in that suit, did not allege that fact. The defendant has now amended his answer alleging that the complainant is, and was at the time of the execution of his father’s will, non compos mentis, and incapable of managing his affairs. The defendant also alleges
The original bill, and the answer thereto, which is now sought to be amended, was a suit between E. T. Gray, andObear, the defendant, as executor of William Gray, calling upon the latter for an account and settlement with the complainant as executor. The defendant insisted he was not liable to ac- . count to the complainant, as executor, because he held the property as trustee, and that the objects and purposes of the trust had not been executed; that was the question involved between the parties in the original suit. In our judgment, it was competent for the defendant to amend his answer by alleging that the complainant was non compos mentis for the purposes of that original suit, but we are 'not aware of any law, or rule of equity practice, which would authorize the defendant by a cross-bill, to make J. & J. C. Rutherford parties to that suit between Gray and Obear; the defendant therein. Why should the defendant be allowed, by a cross-bill, to compel them to, be made parties to that original suit, and litigate between him and Edwin T. Gray ? If the defendant, has a title as trustee to the property levied on', he can interpose his claim to it. If there are any obstacles in the way of his asserting his claim to
Let the judgment of the court below be reversed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Edwin T. Gray, in error v. George S. Obear, in error
- Cited By
- 1 case
- Status
- Published