LEGAL DOCUMENT

Case: Dennis Cronan, Executor, vs. Elizabeth A. Holland et al.
Citation: 19 R.I. 368
Court: Supreme Court of Rhode Island
Jurisdiction: Rhode Island
Decision Date: 1896-02-11
Docket Number: 
Pages: 368–369
Volume: 19
Reporter: Rhode Island Reports

Parties: Dennis Cronan, Executor, vs. Elizabeth A. Holland et al.

Dennis Cronan, Executor, vs. Elizabeth A. Holland et al.
Where a will directs the executor to take charge of tlie income of the testator’s property until such time as he can pay the legacies given, the will makes the executor a trustee, and provides for the payment of the legacies out of the income of the estate; and the legatees cannot maintain actions at law against the executor for the collection of the legacies, or enforce the .charge against the estate by bill. The remedy of the legatees is a bill for an account if the executor unreasonably refuses to render an account of the income.
Bill in Equity for an injunction.
February 11, 1896.

Matteson, C. J.
The second clause of the will directs the complainant, as executor, to take the charge and possession of the income of the testator’s property until such time as he can derive from it sufficient moneys to pay the testator’s funeral expenses, just debts, and the legacies bequeathed in the will. . The will thus, in effect, constitutes the executor a trustee, and provides for the payment of the legacies out of the income of the estate. We are of the opinion, therefore, that the. legatees are not entitled to maintain suits for the collection of the legacies against the executor, or to enforce the charge by bill against the estate, which would be their remedy except for the provision directing the payment of the legacies out of the income; Mathewson v. Arnold, 12 R. I. 145 ; or, at any rate, that they cannot maintain such a bill until it becomes apparent that the income of the property will not 'be sufficient in any reasonable time for the payment of the legacies. The only remedy to which they are entitled is a bill for an ac count, if the executor unreasonably refuses to render them an account of the income.
Dennis H. Sheahan, for complainant.
Warren JR,. Perce, Daniel JR. Ballou & Clifford S. Tower, for respondents.
An injunction restraining the prosecution of the suit at-law against the executor in the District Court of the Sixth Judicial District is granted.