Case ID: wis_156/html/0034-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Vinje, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

C. W. Beggs, Sons & Company, Respondent, vs. Estate of Behrend, Appellant.
    
      January 16
    
    February 3, 1914.
    
    
      Wxecutors and administrators: Accounting: Claim against adminis-tratrix allowed against estate: Appeal: Harmless errors.
    
    
      1. Where an administratrix continued the business of her decedent and in so doing bought goods which were necessary for the preservation of the estate, she was entitled to reimbursement in her final settlement.
    2. Although in such case the indebtedness for the goods was one due from the administratrix and not from the estate, the allowance of the vendor’s claim when filed against the estate ■was not a prejudicial error, "where the administratrix "was also the sole heir, the estate was solvent, and all parties interested were before the court.
    3. Violations of established rules or methods of procedure become material on appeal only when it is evident that they have impaired a party’s right to a fair and impartial trial on the merits.
    Appeal from a judgment of the circuit court for Outa-gamie county: John Goodland, Circuit Judge.
    
      Affirmed.
    
    In 1910 O. W. Behrend died intestate and letters of administration were granted to his widow, who was his sole heir. Deceased in his lifetime was engaged in the retail drug business, and after his death and pending the settlement of the estate the administratrix continued the business and, through her agent in charge of the same, bought a bill of goods from plaintiff amounting to $332, for which it filed a claim against the estate. The county court allowed the claim and, upon appeal to the circuit court, the judgment of the county court was affirmed, and the defendant appealed.
    Eor the appellant there was a brief by Krugmeier & Heine-mann, and oral argument by F. V. Heinemarm.
    
    
      Francis 8. Bradford, for the respondent.
   Vinje, J.

The trial court found that the goods bought were necessary for the preservation of the estate, and the finding is sustained by evidence. Such being the fact, the administratrix was entitled to reimbursement' from the estate for the amount of the bill in her final settlement with it.

Appellant correctly contends that the indebtedness was one due plaintiff from the administratrix and not from the estate, and that this claim was not properly filed against the estate. McLaughlin v. Winner, 63 Wis. 120, 23 N. W. 402; Miller v. Tracy, 86 Wis. 330, 56 N. W. 866; Brown v. McGee's Estate, 117 Wis. 389, 94 N. W. 363; Ferguson v. Woods, 124 Wis. 544, 102 N. W. 1094. But since the county court had jurisdiction both of the settlement of claims against tbe estate and of tbe allowance of expenses of administration, it was a mere irregularity to allow tbe latter under tbe former; especially was tbis so since tbe administratrix was tbe sole beir and tbe estate was solvent. All parties interested were before botb tbe county court and tbe circuit court and bad ample opportunity to be beard on tbe merits. So tbe error bas not affected tbe substantial right of any party and tbe judgment must be affirmed. Sec. 3072m, Stats. 1913; Crawley v. American Soc. 153 Wis. 13, 139 N. W. 734. Violations of established rules or methods of procedure become material on appeal only when it is evident that they have impaired a party’s right to a fair and impartial trial on tbe merits. Tbe Code and tbe court alike require tbe brushing aside of all errors that do not affect substantial rights.

By the Court. — Judgment affirmed.