Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-06-28

series shows about 1000 administrations and
LOO guardianships-4O0 of the former and 100
OF the latter per year.
IMPROVED METHODS
Much OF the records prior to 1859 was found
to be In chaotic condition, and one of the
registers found valuable papers loose in a
large box, which papers should have been
spread on the minutes. These he arranged as
systematically as possible in the order of dates
and pasted them in q book, which is undoubt-
ediy useful, but from the irregularity of size
ana dlnerence In quality OF paper is not at all
ornamental Formerly the papers in court
cases were fled away under names Of parties,
put now each case as it comes in is numbe
and the papers in each case kept together.
Ihe dockets for the administration accounts,
guardian accounts, &C., have the latest i'm
proved induces, and those in quest of informa-
ton may IN few minutes learn from docket
entries the status of any case.
As stated above death does not always end
domestic difficulties, especially where the dead
leave estates with numerous creditors and
heirs. But few adults die whose names do not
appear recorded somewhere in the Probate
Court. Ii a will is left it is necessary to prove
and probate it, il no will is left and there is an
estate, then letters of administration have to
be procured; and if there are minor children,
guardians are appointed. Generally the fees
run from IS to so, the general average being
about IS, and these are deposited when appl-
cation for probate Of will is made. In cases Of
estates when the inventories are returned the
bill is made. The following is the rule Of the
court as to
APPLICATION FOR LETTERS TEsTAMENTARY AND
OF ADMINISTRATION.
"All applications to this court for letters tes-
tamentary and OF administration shall be made
in writing, duly sworn to- setting forth the resi-
dence and citizenship of the petitioner, the
death and date thereof of the person on whose
estate the letters are desired; his or her last
dimicll; the estimated value of the personal
estate, the character thereof and where situated
or being; whether the decedent died testate or in
testate; the names of the next of kin, whether
residents or non-residents, adults or minors,
and, if minors, their respective ages and such
other facts as the court may deem necessary
and proper in the premises. Upon the filing
OF such application the register of wills shall
issue a citation, to be served on all the next Of
kin of the decedent who may be over the age
OF fourteen years, residents of or to be found
within the District of Columbia, commanding
them to appear in this court on day
named In such citation, not less than seven
days from the date of service, to show
cause, if any they have, why letters Of admins
tration or testamentary, as the case may be,
should not he granted as prayed in the DC til
ton. But such citation or publication may be
dispensed with by the court. upon the written
assent of the said next of kin, or where the
with the same. Should any of the next of kin,
or persons entitled by law to the estate, be
non-residents or not to be found, notice to
them Of such application shall be by publica-
ton in one or more newspapers printed or
published in the city of Washington, for such
time and in such manner as the court NAV
direct setting forth that application for letters
on the decedent's estate has been made, and
that they, and all parties interested, appear,
on day named in such notice. to show cause
why the application should not be granted.
The evidence Of such publication to be the
affidavit of the publisher of the paper wherein
1t was inserted, or some competent person hay
ing personal knowledge Of the publication"
THE USUAL COURSE OF PROCEDURE
Should the letters be granted an inventory
of the property is taken and returned to the
court and the amount the executor charges
himself with in his account. Most of the &C
counts are stated in the office, but there are a
number OF accountants, among them James s.
Edwards, Warren Stone and w. II. Dennis, en-
gagged from time to time, and the accounts
they prepare are usually audited by DIR.
Griffith. In these accounts the admin is
traitor is charged with the amount of the in
ventory, and on the other side he claims credit
OF amount paid for funeral expenses, debts of
the estate Charging commission from to 10
per cent?, then striking the balance for dis
trlbution, and setting out the amount to each
heir or beneficiary. 1t Is not every one who
departs square with the world, for q great
number of people die in debt, and some leave
only litigation for their heirs.