Succession of Von Phul
Succession of Von Phul
Opinion of the Court
In this case Mrs. M. E. Feldner applies to this court for writs of certiorari and review to the Court of Appeal for the Parish of Orleans, upon the grounds:
(1) That said court is without jurisdiction, ratione materise, to decide and determine said cause; and
(2) That if it has such jurisdiction, the judgment and decree rendered therein are contrary to the law and jurisprudence of this court.
Opinion.
The only matter in controversy herein is, first, as to whether or not opponent is entitled to be placed on said account as a creditor for the sum of $900, with a privilege on the proceeds of certain property in the sum of $600 of that amount; and, second, whether she should be charged, in favor of the succession, with the sum of $750 as the price of her bid for said property.
We therefore think that the Court of Appeal was clearly within the law in exercising jurisdiction of said cause.
Opinion on the Merits
On the Merits.
The record shows that the administratrix applied to the court below to sell the contents of the drug store, together with the right of occupancy, in globo and as a going concern, under the theory that a better price-could be had therefor, and on the further allegation that the lease had several months to run at $50 per month. The court ordered the property mentioned sold as prayed for, and in the advertisement of the sale, signed by the auctioneers and attorneys for the administratrix, after describing the contents of the building somewhat in detail, there followed these words:
“And the right of occupancy on the premises at $50 per month, expiring September 30, 1917.”'
The certificate or procés verbal of the auctioneers also described the things sold as follows:
“The entire contents of the drug store, No. 3120 Canal street, occupied by the deceased, F.. A. Von Phul, and the right of occupancy of the-promises expiring September 30, 1917, at fifty dollars per month, said, purchaser "buying the drug store to assume the rental at fifty dollars-per month until the expiration of the lease.”
The testimony in the record also shows that the auctioneer announced at the time of' crying the property that the purchaser would acquire the same with the right of oc
Tbe applicant contends that of tbe total price paid, $750, about $300 was for tbe stock of goods and $450 for tbe right of occupancy. Since tbe lease bad some 16 months to run at tbe date of tbe sale, if this contention be true, she acquired tbe use of tbe premises for about one-half tbe price which tbe succession was bound to pay tbe lessor (herself), or at tbe rate of about $25 per month. There is nothing to show that tbe lease could not have been assigned to some one who would have been willing to pay at least tbe rental-which tbe succession was to pay, and it hardly seems probable that a sale so foolish would have been made, even if tbe evidence did not preponderate so strongly against such a contention.
For tbe reasons assigned, tbe judgment of tbe Court of Appeal is affirmed, at tbe cost of tbe applicant.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Succession of VON PHUL. Opposition of FELDNER
- Cited By
- 1 case
- Status
- Published
- Syllabus
- (Syllabus by Editorial Staff.) 1. Courts Though the amount of the inventory in a succession proceeding exceeds $2,000, the Court of Appeal has jurisdiction of an opposition involving merely the questions whether opponent is entitled to be placed on the account as a creditor for $900, and should be charged in favor of the succession with the sum of $750. 2. Executors and administrators &wkey;>36 Sale by auctioneer, in the settlement of decedent’s estate, of his drug business and the right of occupancy of the store for the balance of the term of his lease, held subject to, and not free from, the payment of the rent reserved in the lease.