Lucas v. Fidelity Trust & Safety Vault Co.
Lucas v. Fidelity Trust & Safety Vault Co.
Opinion of the Court
Opinion by
Flerman Brands died, leaving a wife and six children, all the latter being infants and four of them being under fourteen years of age. The mother qualified as the guardian of all of them. This action was brought by a creditor of the decedent under Civ. Code 1876, § 428, for the settlement of his estate. The widow and children were made defendants, and the summons which issued was properly served upon the two children who were over fourteen years of age, but as to those under age it was only served upon the Fidelity Trust and Safety Vault Co., as their guardian. This company Was not their guardian, but the administrator of their father; and this service as to the children under fourteen is manifestly not sufficient. The administrator, however, filed an answer and cross-petition, to which the widow and children were also made defendants, and the summons which issued upon it was served upon the mother, as the guardian of all the children, as the return shows, the husband being dead. This service was sufficient as to the four, who were under fourteen years of age, but insuffi
The appellants, Tobe and Lucas, who purchased portions of the real estate sold under the decree, now complain of a judgment requiring them to comply with the terms of the sale and claim that their title will be imperfect because the infants were not properly before the court when the judgment was rendered. Both the petition and cross-petition sought a settlement of the estate. It was one action. Either a creditor or the personal representative could maintain it. The judgment was upon both the petition and cross-petition; and as all the necessary parties were before the court by a summons, under one or the other properly served, they were parties to the action. The failure of the statutory guardian to file a report or to have one filed by a guardian ad litem can not avail a purchase of the property sold under the decree. Simmons v. McKay, 5 Bush (Ky.) 35. Perceiving no error in the judgment it is affirmed.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.