Succession of Billiero
Succession of Billiero
Opinion of the Court
Appellants contest the correctness and oppose the approval of the account filed by the testamentary executrix, who is widow and universal legatee of the deceased, Joseph Billiero. There are two separate and distinct oppositions, having no relation to one another. One is a claim of Anthony Vienna, brother-in-law of the deceased, for $400, alleged to have been loaned to the deceased on the 22d of April, 1916. The other is a demand of the three sisters, heirs at law of the deceased, that they be recognized as creditors of the succession for $750, the allegation being that their mother, who died on the 22d of April, 1916, had advanced to her son, Joseph Billiero, to enable him to buy a grocery store, $1,000, for which he had failed to collate or account to .her succession. .
The bank account of Joseph Billiero shows that he had $3,000 or more to his credit at the time of his mother’s death, and was able at any time thereafter to pay a debt of $400. We do not think that that circumstance alone, however, should destroy the positive and reliable testimony of Mr. and Mrs. Vienna that the money was never returned. Mr. Vienna is a man of means, having retired from business. Mr. Billiero had lived in the Vienna home from boyhood until he was 24 years old; and it appears that the Viennas had a strong affection for him, until he married. For some reason not explained, the marriage of Mr. Billiero caused an estrangement between him and Mrs. Vienna; and it was on the day after the marriage that she called him to the telephone and requested him to pay the $400 he owed Mr. Vienna. It was probably a feeling of resentment on his part that caused him to reply that she would have to wait six months.
The testimony offered in support of the claim of Mr. Vienna was objected to on the ground that it was not in accord with the allegation that the $400 was loaned to purchase a tomb. The difference between the allegation and the proof, however, was not material. Though the money was deposited for part payment for a tomb to be bought by Mr. Billiero for himself and Mr. Vienna jointly, when the parties afterwards abrogated the agreement and Mr. Vienna told Mr. Billiero that he need not be in a hurry to return the money, the transaction was in effect a loan, it matters not what the purpose of the loan was. Our conclusion is that the claim should be allowed.
The judgment rejecting the opposition and demand of the three sisters of the deceased is affirmed. The judgment rejecting the opposition and demand of Anthony Vienna is annulled, and it is ordered, adjudged, and decreed that he be recognized as a creditor of
Reference
- Full Case Name
- SUCCESSION OF BILLIERO
- Status
- Published
- Syllabus
- (Syllabus by Editorial Staff.) 1. Executors and Administrators A claim for money loaned to purchase a tomb held improperly denied, though supported only by claimant’s testimony and that of his wife. 2. Executors and Administrators The claim for money loaned to buy a grocery store held properly denied, as unsupported by the evidence.