Wick's Estate
Wick's Estate
Opinion of the Court
Where the finding of an auditor is an inference from established facts, as was the case here, the court can reach a correct conclusion quite as readily as he, and less hesitation is felt in reversing such finding than one arrived at from disputed testimony involving the veracity and intelligence of witnesses: Dingee v. Wood, 228 Pa. 250. Upon full consideration of this case on the merits, we are of opinion that, except for a slight mistake of figures, to which we shall refer hereafter, the orphans’ court reached a correct and just conclusion from the evidence, and, although it was contrary to the deduction of the auditor from certain facts, should not be disturbed. The correctness of that conclusion is vindicated by the thorough and exhaustive opinion of the learned judge, and, if the case rested here, it would be unnecessary to add anything to what he has said.
But there is a question, alluded to by us on the oral argument, but not discussed in the paper-books, which we think should be noticed. The appeal is by the executor, whose account had been confirmed, from the decree of the orphans’ court distributing the balance in his hands. He is not personally interested in the distribution either as legatee, heir or creditor, and it does not appear that he is
But it is conceded by appellee’s counsel that by some inadvertence the sum awarded to their client was $462 instead of $447, as it should have been, and they expressly consent that this mistake be corrected by a modification of the decree. Were it not for this express concession the appeal should be quashed.
The decree is amended and modified by reducing the sum awarded to the appellee from $462 to $447, and in all other particulars is affirmed, the costs of this appeal to be paid by the appellant.
Reference
- Cited By
- 8 cases
- Status
- Published
- Syllabus
- Appeals — Executors and administrators — “Party aggrieved” — Act of March 29,1882, sec. 59, P. L. 190. An executor or administrator who comes into the court to which he must account, admitting that he has a specific balance in his hands for distribution, has no standing, as executor or administrator, to appeal from the decree of distribution so long as the decree does not surcharge him, or make distribution of an amount larger than the admitted balance due the estate. He is not a “party aggrieved” within the meaning of sec. 59 of the Act of March 29, 1832, P. L. 190.