Case ID: misc_126/html/0767-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "O’Brien, S.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

In the Matter of the Estate of Sarah E. Fox, Deceased.
    Surrogate’s Court, New York County,
    February 24, 1926.
    Executors and administrators — compliance by executor with directions contained in will — bequest of Roman Catholic ostensorium — omission of stones from ostensorium, deemed by executor to be imitation, not abuse of discretion.
    The omission of stones deemed by the executor of decedent’s estate to be “ imitation ” or damaged or of small value from an ostensorium bequeathed by decedent is not such a variance from the directions of the testatrix as will warrant the disapproval of the executor’s account by the Surrogate’s Court for the reason that the discretion to be exercised by the executor in carrying out the directions of the 2d paragraph in the will was not limited by the language used in said paragraph or in the rest of the will.
    Proceeding for an accounting involving compliance by executor with directions contained in will.
    
      Babbage & Sanders, for the executor.
    
      Joyce Bushel, special guardian.
    
      Coudert Bros., for the Novitiate of the Fathers of Mercy.
    
      Peck & Hancock, for St. Vincent’s Hospital.
    
      Eidlitz & Hulse, for Rev. William B. Martin.
    
      Amend & Amend, for the Sisters of the Poor of St. Francis.
   O’Brien, S.

The executor’s discretion to be exercised in carrying out the directions of paragraph second ” of the will was not controlled or limited by the language used in said paragraph or in the rest of the will. Failure to comply precisely and literally with the directions set forth therein by omitting the stones deemed to be “ imitation ” or damaged or of small value from the ostensorium is not such a variance from the directions of testatrix as will warrant the court’s disapproval of the account. Let the stones omitted and the ostensorium be delivered to the beneficiary and let the statement in Schedule E-l ” alleging the tender and refusal of the bequest be stricken from said account. Submit decree on notice.