Case ID: nc_198/html/0225-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "OoNNon, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

J. LONDON and SOLOMON ROBINOWITZ, Executors of JOSEPH ARLICH, Deceased, et al. v. CHAIM PELCHENAN, Trustee, et al.
    (Filed 22 January, 1930.)
    Wills E i — Executor may bring action for construction of will by the court.
    The courts of the State have jurisdiction to hear and determine an action to construe a will, and the construction of the will may be given by the court in caveat proceedings after the determination of the validity of the will in favor of the propounders.
    
      Appeal by plaintiff from Moore-, J., at August Term, 1929, of Guil-ford.
    Affirmed.
    Tbis action was Begun in tbe Superior Court of Guilford County.
    Plaintiffs, upon tbe facts alleged in tbeir complaint, pray for tbe advice of tbe court witb respect to tbe performance of tbeir duties in tbe administration of tbe estate of tbeir testator.
    From judgment approving a contract wbicli tbe plaintiffs propose to enter into witb tbe beirs at law and distributees of tbeir testator, in settlement of tbeir claims against said estate, and otherwise advising and approving tbe conduct of tbe plaintiffs, in tbe performance of tbeir duties, plaintiffs appealed to the Supreme Court.
    
      D. Q. McncRae, Gold & Yorh and Frazier & Frazier for plaintiffs.
    
    
      R. M. Robinson and 8. J. Stern for defendant.
    
   OoNNon, J.

Joseph Arlicb died 15 September, 1925. A paper-writing was thereafter probated in common form as bis last will and testament by tbe clerk of tbe Superior Court of Guilford County, North Carolina. By bis said last will and testament tbe said Joseph Arlicb devised and bequeathed all bis property, real and personal, to the trustee named therein, to be held and disposed of by said trustee in accordance witb tbe terms and provisions of tbe trust created By tbe said Josepb Arlicb in bis said last will and testament. No part of bis property was devised or bequeathed in said last will and testament to persons who are bis beirs at law or distributees. Tbe executors named in said last will and testament have qualified for tbe performance of tbeir duties and are now engaged in tbe administration of tbe estate of tbeir testator.

Serious questions have been raised by persons who claim to be tbe beirs at law and distributees of tbe estate of Joseph Arlicb, deceased, touching tbe validity of said last will and testament, and also affecting its construction. Tbe executors and tbe testamentary trustee have entered into negotiations witb such persons, and have agreed, subject to tbe approval of tbe court, upon a settlement of these questions. Tbis settlement bas been reduced to writing and in tbis action is submitted to tbe court for its approval. Tbe defendants in tbis action are all tbe beneficiaries of tbe trust created by tbe will, and all the beirs at law and distributees of tbe testator. Tbe court upon consideration of tbe facts found By it, rendered judgment approving tbe settlement made By tbe executors witb tbe beirs at law, and distributees of tbeir testator, and also approving tbe administration of tbe estate by tbe executors involved in said settlement.

Tbe only question presented on tbe appeal of plaintiffs to this-'Court is whether tbe court bas jurisdiction of tbe action. Tbis question is answered in the affirmative upon tbe authority of our decision in Trust Co. v. Lentz, 196 N. C., 398, 143 S. E., 776. In that case it is said: “Tbe right of the plaintiff to bring this action and to seek the advice of the court on an existing state of facts, upon which a decree or some directions in the nature of a decree may be founded, is supported by a number of decisions, notably Balsley v. Balsley, 116 N. C., 472, 21 S. E., 594; Tyson v. Tyson, 100 N. C., 360, 6 S. E., 707; Little v. Thorne, 93 N. C., 69, and Tayloe v. Bond, 45 N. C., 5.

We have read the judgment rendered in this action. It is well considered, and is in all respects

Affirmed.