Jones v. Jones
Jones v. Jones
Opinion of the Court
By the law of 1844, ch. 135, sec. 2, (C. S. ch. 159, sec. 30), a judge of probate was empowered to decree that the estate of an insane person under guardianship be settled as an insolvent estate; in which case such proceedings were to be had, decrees made, appeals allowed, suits disposed of, and accounts of said guardians adjusted, in the same manner as is now by law provided in cases of insolvent estates of deceased persons; and by ch. 136, Laws of 1844, (C. S. ch. 159, sec. 31), it is provided that in case the dividend declared upon the claims of creditors of such estate shall not be sufficient to satisfy the whole of their claims, then the balances remaining shall survive against the estate of the wards during the guardianship, and for three years after the disability shall be removed.
From these provisions it is quite clear that an equal distribution of the estates of such wards was contemplated, in the mode and manner adopted in the case of insolvent estates of deceased persons; and we perceive no reason to doubt the intention of the legislature to adopt the same provisions for the disposition of pending suits. ■ Indeed, to give effect to the purpose of making equal distribution, the discontinuance of such suits and the consequent release of attachments would seem to be essential.
It is true, that if the administrator comes in and makes no objection, by plea or suggestion of such decree, but allows the action to proceed to judgment, it could not be collaterally impeached, inasmuch as' the court had general jurisdiction of the cause and parties: Lyford v. Dunn, 32 N. H. 81; but in that case had the objection been taken by plea or suggestion, the suit could not have been further prosecuted, but must have abated.
Assuming, then, that in the case before us the ward was under guardianship by reason of insanity, although it is not expressly so stated, we think the suit must be discontinued.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Mersylvia Jones v. Wainwright Jones
- Status
- Published