Case ID: gibb-surr_1/html/0239-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Arnold, S.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

In the Matter of the Estate of Jacob Basch, Deceased.
    
      (Surrogate’s Court, New York County,
    
    
      Filed March, 1895.)
    Executors — Discovery.
    If a person cited to appear for examination as to property in Ms possession alleged to belong to the decedent files a verified answer claiming the ownership or right of possession by reason of a lien or special property therein, the surrogate is thereby ousted of jurisdiction, and the examination cannot be continued for the purpose of procuring the disclosure of knowledge or information as to such property which the witness may have.
    Proceeding to discover personal property alleged to belong to tbe estate of tbe decedent.
    James Eromme, for respondent.
   Arnold, S.

Tbis is an application by tbe public administrator for an examination of the respondent touching certain personal property in her possession, which be alleges upon information and belief belonged to tbe decedent. A citation and order having been granted and served upon her, tbe respondent appears and files a verified answer, claiming to be “ tbe owner of each and every item and article of property in said petition enumerated,” and thereupon asks, by virtue of the provisions of section 2709 of the Code, for a dismissal of the proceedings. The public administrator, conceding that the issues made by .the petition and answer cannot be tried in this court, and that no order for the delivery of the property in question can be made, nevertheless claims the right to proceed with the examination of the party for the purpose of procuring the disclosure of any knowledge or information concerning the property which she may have.

The proceedings for discovery by the public administrator •are regulated, where he is acting under letters of administration granted to him by the surrogate^ by the provisions of the Code. In re Elias, 4 Dem. 139. The purpose of these provisions is to enable the legal representative of an estate to obtain possession of property belonging to it which is withheld from him. Two classes of persons may be cited — those who have possession or control of the property in question, and who ■can therefore deliver it if required so to do, and those who only have knowledge or information concerning it. Section 2707, Code. If on the return day the person cited interposes a written answer, duly verified, that he is the owner of the property ■or entitled to its possession by virtue of a lien thereon or special property therein, the surrogate must dismiss the proceedings, as to such property so claimed. If no such claim is made as so provided, the examination must proceed. The result is that, where claim of title is interposed, the surrogate is ousted of jurisdiction, and cannot decide the question raised, the parties being remitted to another tribunal, wherein a jury trial or other proper and constitutional disposition of the issues may be had. If no claim is made to the title or possession of the property, a full inquiry is allowed for the purpose of ascertaining what knowledge or information the person cited has as to the property.

In this case the party comes before the court and files a written and verified answer, claiming absolute ownership of all the property in question. Under such circumstances, no examinalion is permissible, and if it were allowed no order conld be made for tbe delivery or disposition of tbe property based upon it. Tbe provisions of tbe statute are peremptory, to whichever of the two classes mentioned the party cited may, upon the face of the petition, belong. It is true that section 270 9 provides that the proceedings shall be dismissed as to the property claimed, but that is meant to cover a continuance as h> such property mentioned in the petition as is not claimed by the answer. If there be any such, and the answer admits possession or control, as well as ownership' by the estate, suitable provision may be made for its delivery to the legal representative. If full concession in these respects is not made, then the party must submit to full examination as to what he knowsi or has been informed as to such part of the property described in the petition to which he asserts neither title or lien nor special interest. Here the ownership of all the property is claimed in hostility to the public administrator,. as legal representative of the intestate.

The proceedings are dismissed.