In Re Estate of Riley
In Re Estate of Riley
Dissenting Opinion
(dissenting).
For the reasons set forth at length in my dissenting opinion in Estate of Cavill, filed this day, Pa., 329 A.2d 503 (1974), 1 dissent also from the affirmance of the decree in the case at bar.
Opinion of the Court
OPINION OF THE COURT
Appellants are intestate heirs of the late Gilbert Riley, who, 20 days before his death, bequeathed the residue of his estate to St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church of Hollidaysburg. Appellants, by filing timely objections to the executor’s First and Final Account, sought to prevent distribution to the Church on the ground that such distribution would be contrary to the Pennsylvania Mort-main Statute, Act of April 24, 1947, P.L. 89, § 7 as amended, Act of April 22, 1970, P.L. 305, No. 98, § 9, 20
Appellants allege that the trial judge erred first in granting reargument and second in holding that the Act of 1947 is unconstitutional.
Although the principle of finality is to be well guarded by our courts, we cannot agree with appellants’ position that the principle has been unjustly served in the circumstances of this case. The request for a reargument was made within a reasonable period of time and before the time for filing an appeal had expired, see Rule 1522 of the Pa. Rules of Civil Procedure, 12 P.S. Appendix. Where the lower court has attempted to bring all the facts and relevant law before it upon petition for rehearing filed within the appropriate period of time we can only commend the lower court on its attempt to insure the just and comprehensive resolution of the case.
As to the .merits of the ruling below, we affirm the lower court on the basis of our opinion in the case of
Decree affirmed.
. Although the lower court did not invalidate the Mortmain Statute on equal protection grounds as we have done in Cavill, the decree must nevertheless be affirmed where the action of the lower court is correct even where an incorrect reason is assigned. International Union of Operating Engineers, Local No. 66, AFL-CIO v. Linesville Construction Co. & Utility Constructors, Inc., 457 Pa. 220, 322 A.2d 353 (1974); Sherwood v. Elgart, 383 Pa. 110, 117 A.2d 899 (1955). In view of the Cavill decision, we need not consider the constitutional grounds discussed by the court below.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- In Re ESTATE of Gilbert F. RILEY, Deceased. Appeal of Russell J. RILEY Et Al.
- Cited By
- 7 cases
- Status
- Published