Hogan v. Kavanaugh

New York Court of Appeals
Hogan v. Kavanaugh, 54 N.Y. St. Rep. 707 (N.Y. 1893)
Brien

Hogan v. Kavanaugh

Opinion of the Court

O’Brien, J

The motion for a re-argument is 'denied. The learned counsel for the appellant was understood at the argument of the cause to suggest a modification of the judgment. He now insists that the modification made is in conflict with the statutes authorizing sales of real estate for the payment of the debts of deceased persons in the surrogates’ courts. The decision is that *708the creditors before becoming entitled to any part of the proceeds of the sale must comply with these statutes. It may be difficult to carry the judgment, as modified, into effect, but we cannot see how it conflicts with any statutory requirement for the sale of real estate in such cases. If it is not complied with within the time embraced in the stay contemplated, then the power to sell in .virtue of the legacy becomes operative. The court intended to call attention to certain rules and principles which it was thought were ignored by both sides in this case, leaving it to the parties themselves or the courts below to apply them to the situation, and thus correct the error by stipulation, order or, otherwise as was deemed jnost convenient. When the case is remitted to the supreme court to carry the judgment into effect., it is assumed that power exists to adjust the rights of all the parties in accordance with the principles indicated. No other method has been suggésted tó obviate the difficulties that the parties have placed in their own way.

In regard to the question of costs we did not intend to interfere with the discretion exercised on that subject by the courts below. It may be that none of the parties should be awarded costs in the light of the decision of this court. But that question should be presented to the court in which the costs were allowed, and after hearing all parties it has the power to modify the decision on that subject in such manner as justice may require. The court has the power to strike out all allowances for costs included in the judgments rendered, but as disbursements to a considerable amount have been paid by someone, we think the question of modifying the award of costs should be disposed of by the courts below upon an application for that purpose.

Motion denied.

All concur.

Reference

Full Case Name
Phoebe J. Hogan, App'lt v. Daniel Kavanaugh, Resp'ts
Status
Published