Case ID: mass_331/html/0292-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Wilkins, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Mary J. Lucey, petitioner.
    Plymouth.
    March 2, 1954.
    April 2, 1954.
    Present: Qua, C.J., Ronan, Wilkins, Spalding, & Williams, JJ.
    
      Probate Court, Petition.
    There was no error in a decree of a Probate Court dismissing as improper in form a petition for administration praying for the appointment of a designated person as administrator with the words “or some other suitable person” deleted, even though the designated person was found to be suitable.
    Petition, filed in the Probate Court for the county of Plymouth on September 11, 1953.
    The petitioner appealed from a decree by Stone, J.
    
      George L. Wainwright, for the petitioner.
   Wilkins, J.

The petitioner, a minor and the only heir at law and next of kin, through her guardian filed a petition for administration in the estate of her mother, Veronica H. Lucey. The prayer was that “Alfred Catón [the decedent’s father], of #61 Hillcrest Avenue, Brockton, Massachusetts, be appointed administrator.” From the printed form of petition the words “he, or some other suitable person” had been struck out before filing. The judge filed a statement setting forth that if these words should be restored, he would appoint the person named in the prayer of the petition, who we infer he intended to find was a suitable person. The petitioner did not amend, and a decree was entered dismissing the petition as improper in form. The petitioner appealed. There was no error. The printed forms of the Probate Courts are approved by this court. G. L. (Ter. Ed.) c. 215, § 30. See Wright v. Wright, 264 Mass. 453, 456; Webster v. Franklin County Trust Co. 313 Mass. 401, 404; Allen v. Mazurowski, 317 Mass. 218, 221; Allen v. Moushegian, 320 Mass. 746, 751 note. The form of petition for administration here involved was approved on June 20, 1894. The Probate Courts themselves cannot change a form so approved. Obviously the petitioner cannot.

Decree affirmed.