Case ID: me_76/html/0196-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "\n      Libbey, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Abel W. Rowell, guardian of Alden S. Hunnewell, vs. David Patterson, administrator of the estate of Richard Hunnewell.
    Somerset.
    Opinion May 29, 1884.
    
      Administrator. Insane person. Statute of limitations. Stat. 1872, c. 86.
    
    'The limitations of the stat. 1872, c. 85, for presenting claims against an estate to the administrator, and bringing an action thereon, apply to claims held by .an insane .person, though such person has no guardian during the two years nest after the notice of the appointment of the administrator.
    OÑ REPORT.
    Assumpsit by the guardian of an insane person, against the ¡administrator of his father’s estate. Richard Hunnewell died •October 30, 1879; .the defendant was appointed administrator, February 3,1880, and gave notice of his appointment, February ’9, 1880. Alden S. Hunnewell has been insane ever since his •father’s death, but had no guardian until June 6, 1882, when Mr. Rowell was appointed. June 30, 1882, the guardian pre¡sented the claim sued to the administrator, in writing, and ■demanded payment.
    The suit was brought August 21, 1882.
    By the terms of the report if the action was maintainable the ■case was to stand for trial, otherwise a nonsuit was to be entered.
    
      Walton and Walton, for the plaintiff.
    Here is an insane person who has not the capacity to bring an action and as to whom the cause of action does not accrue until the disability is removed. R. S., c. 81, § 85. See Oliver v. Berry, 53 Maine, 206; Lancey v. White, 68 Maine, 32.
    
      Turner Bus-well, for the defendant,
    cited : Scott v. Hancock, 13 Mass. 162; Brown v. Anderson, 13 Mass. 201; Hall v. Bumstead, 20 Pick. 2; Baker v. Bean, 74 Maine, 18; Little-field v. Baton, 74 Maine, 516.
   Libbey, J.

We think it clear that this action is barred by the act of 1872, c. 85. The statute contains no exception in favor of insane persons or infants. Claims held by them against the estate of a deceased person are barred by the limitation as well as those held by others. Baker v. Bean, 74 Maine, 17 ; Hall v. Bumstead, 20 Pick. 2; Van Steenwyck v. Washburn, 28 Albany Law Journal, 483.

Whether sound public policy required an exception from the limitation in favor of insane persons and infants, was a question for the determination of the legislature. It did not deem it wise to make such exception. A construction by the court making it would be judicial legislation. We. know no rule for the construction of statutes which would authorize it.

Plaintiff nonsuit.

Peters, C. J., Walton, Barrows and Daneorth, JJ.,concurred.