Carter v. Norwood's Adm'r
Carter v. Norwood's Adm'r
Opinion of the Court
Opinion by
The guardian of E. H. Norwood is attempted to be made liable for monies paid by him after the death of his wards to the heirs of the latter instead of his personal representative. The guardian and heirs are before the court in an action by the administrator to settle
The deceased was an infant when these debts were contracted, and had no right to create them without the consent of the guardian. His whole estate consisted of only six hundred dollars. He had been employed as clerk or salesman in one of the leading business houses of the city, and by the influence of his guardian with his employees, his wages were being increased. He became discontented with his position, and contraiy to the advice and consent of his guardian, undertook to seek other employment. The appellees, without the consent or authority of the guardian, saw proper to sell the decedent’s goods, and now claim and that they were necessaries. The proof shows that they were evidently looking to the wages of the young man to pay! their claims upon him. He was able to work and support himself, and the chancellor at no time, contrary to the wishes of the guardian, would have required the latter to surrender the principal of the ward’s estate for the purpose of having it invested in clothing. The readiness of appellee to furnish the young man with what he considered the necessaries, was an inducement for him to disregard the advice of his guardian, and enabled him to select his own character of employment.
There is no reason for this judgment against the guardian. He was not liable for the debt prior to the death of the ward, and should not in this action be made to respond when not necessary to pay debts. As to the claim for board of Vooheries, it seems that the heirs who have this money concede that the claim of Vooheries was for necessaries, and to that extent the heirs receiving the money upon a. proper state of pleading, may be compelled to pay, in the event the funds in the hands by the administrator are insufficient. Another objection to the judgment is that no claim is verified as the law requires. In this case it also appears that after the payment of this money by the guardian, the administrator, who was a creditor, filed his petition not only to settle the estate, but to establish his own
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.