Case ID: nys_113/html/0277-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "SEXTON, S.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

(60 Misc. Rep. 299.)
    In re NICHOLS’ ESTATE.
    (Surrogate’s Court, Oneida County.
    July, 1908.)
    1. Descent and Distribution (§ 38)—Rights of Cousins.
    Under Code Civ. Proc. § 2732, subd. 12, providing that no representation shall be admitted among collaterals after brothers and sisters descendants, cousins cannot share in the estate of a decedent by representation.
    [Ed. Note.—For other cases, see Descent and Distribution, Cent. Dig. §§ 111, 115; Dec. Dig. § 38.*]
    2. Descent and Distribution (§ 38*)—Rights of Cousins.
    Under Code Civ. Proc. § 2732, subd. 12, where uncles and aunts of a decedent are of the third degree, and all the cousins are of the fourth degree, they are precluded from sharing in the estate of the decedent.
    [Ed. Note.—For other cases, see Descent and Distribution, Cent. Dig. §§ 111-115; Dec. Dig. § 38.*]
    In the Matter of the Settlement of the Estate of Chester W. Nichols, deceased.
    Decree of distribution entered.
    Willis W. Byam, for administrator.
    McMahon & Larkin, for George P. Smith and others.
    John C. Evans, special guardian.
    Lucius M. Manley, for Clarinda, Edward, and Jerome B. Nichols.
    
      
      For other cases see same topic & § numbeb in Dec. & Am. Digs. 1907 to date, & Rep’r Indexes
    
   SEXTON, S.

This is a proceeding for the judicial settlement of the administrator’s account herein. The intestate died August 22, 1907, possessed of personal property only. He left no widow, ancestor, descendant,'. brother, or sister, but was survived by Edward Nichols, Jerome B. Nichols, and Clarinda Nichols, who were his uncles and aunt, and by a number of first and second cousins. The first and second cousins each claim a portion of the estate by representation. The question of their right to any portion in the estate was raised by written objections, filed on behalf of the uncles and aunt, who claim the entire estate by inheritance.

For the purpose of a decree of distribution it becomes necessary tó construe subdivision 12 of section 2732 of the Code of Civil Procedure. At the time of the death of the deceased, said subdivision read:

“No representation shall be admitted among collaterals after brothers and sisters descendants.”

Under this subdivision, the descendants of brothers and sisters to the remotest degree, by representation, share in the distribution of an estate. All collateral' relatives, except descendants of brothers and sisters, are precluded from sharing in the decedent’s estate by representation. Where they are all'of the same degree of kinship, to wit, uncles and aunts and-nephews and nieces, the rule of representation does not apply, 'still they take by reason of that degree. In the case at bar, the uncles and aunt are of the third degree of kinship, while all of the cousins are of the fourth degree. It therefore follows that the cousins are precluded by reason of their degree of kinship, and by reason of the prohibition found in said subdivision 12, from sharing in the distribution of this estate. Matter of Davenport, 172 N. Y. 454, 65 N. E. 275.

Subdivision 10 of section 2732 provides that:

“Where the descendants, or next of kin, of the deceased, entitled to share in his estate, are all in equal degree to the deceased,' their shares shall be equal.”

A decree may therefore b'e prepared and presented, providing for a distribution of this estate in equal parts to Edward Nichols, Jerome B. Nichols, and Clarinda Nichols.

Decreed accordingly.