Fisher v. Seattle Trust Co.
Fisher v. Seattle Trust Co.
Opinion of the Court
— The Seattle Trust Company admittedly held in trust the legal title to certain real estate in King county, Washington, for the benefit of certain judgment creditors of Benjamin Moyses et al. W. H. Fisher, one of these creditors, instituted an action in the superior court of King county against
Upon the theory that, by the provisions of § 1731, Eem. Code, upon giving notice of appeal and the filing of the bond to render it effectual, this court acquires jurisdiction of the appeal for all necessary purposes, the Seattle Trust Company, by a noticed motion and petition, has applied for an order requiring Fisher to deposit here or in the superior court said sum of $5,-
Counsel for petitioner, relying on § 474, vol. 2, Perry on Trusts (6th ed.), and Gottschalk v. Mercantile Trust & Deposit Co., 102 Md. 521, 62 Atl. 810, says:
“Where a court of equity assumes jurisdiction to execute a trust, the trustee can act only under the direction of the court. Hence the trust fund is in the custody of the court.”
“Where the trustee pays and distributes the trust fund under the direction and decree of the court, he is indemnified by the order itself, and needs no release. It would be impossible to hold any trustee responsible for obeying the orders of a court.” 2 Perry, Trusts (6th ed.), §924.
So that, when the judgment of the superior court was entered, all previous rights of the parties became merged in the judgment, which gave directions for the disposition of the funds. It then became the duty of the Seattle Trust Company to carry out the terms and provisions of the judgment. The judgment was perfectly valid and enforceable, and, at the time the money was paid to Fisher, the judgment was entitled to the same respect and confidence as if all right of appeal had expired or been abandoned, or the judgment had already been affirmed upon appeal.
Application denied.
Holcomb, C. J., Main, and Parker, JJ., concur.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- W. H. Fisher v. Seattle Trust Company, Schwabacher Hardware Company
- Cited By
- 3 cases
- Status
- Published
- Syllabus
- Appeal (232)—Stay—Right to and Necessity of Supersedeas. A judgment directing the payment of a fund in court which might be enforced by execution can be stayed only by the taking of an appeal and the giving of a supersedeas bond, in the absence of which it is entitled to the same respect as if all right of appeal had expired or been abandoned. Trusts—Execution of Trust—Payment of Judgment. A trustee distributing a fund under a decree of court is indemnified by the order and needs no release. Appeal (232, 244)—Supersedeas—Restitution. Pending an appeal taken after payment of a judgment distributing a fund in court to solvent parties, the supreme court will not require the trustee to make restitution to an appellant who was amply protected by Rem. Code, § 1742, authorizing restitution after final decision on the appeal.