Source: http://masscases.com/cases/sjc/325/325mass68.html
Timestamp: 2019-04-18 14:23:00+00:00

Document:
ELEANOR BURKE vs. DAVID GAHAGAN, administrator.
A creditor of the estate of a deceased attorney was guilty of "culpable neglect" in failing to bring action within the period of the short statute of limitations upon a claim for money collected for the creditor by the attorney shortly before his death, and was not entitled to relief under G. L. (Ter. Ed.) c. 197, Section 10, respecting such claim, where it appeared that the creditor, although learning promptly of the attorney's death, refrained from bringing action because the attorney had promised to account for the money upon the completion of an unrelated foreclosure matter then also being handled for the creditor by the attorney, and that, after the attorney's death another attorney representing his estate had purported to make a similar promise and had undertaken to act for the creditor in the foreclosure matter, which was not completed until long after the expiration of the period of the short statute of limitations.
BILL IN EQUITY, filed in the Supreme Judicial Court for the county of Suffolk on March 25, 1948, and afterwards amended. On transfer to the Superior Court, a demurrer to the amended bill was heard by Morton, J. J. P. McGrail, for the plaintiff. A. L. Doggett, for the defendant, submitted a brief.
19, 1945. On February 7, 1947, the foreclosure matter was settled, [Note 1] and on February 13, 1947, the plaintiff made demand on the defendant for the $1,400. The defendant refused to pay on the ground that the short statute of limitations had expired. See G. L. (Ter. Ed.) c. 197, Section 9, as amended by St. 1933, c. 221, Section 4. There has been no distribution of the assets of the estate.
It will be noted that there was no allegation of deception on the part of Mr. Murray, who was described as "a reputable member of the bar," and that the only intimation of fraud is an indirect and conditional one on the part of the defendant and his new attorney. It is flatly alleged, in substance, that Mr. Murray failed to inform the defendant and this attorney, but elsewhere in the bill it is set forth that nevertheless if he did inform them, they "through inadvertence, accident or mistake or through intent to defraud your petitioner" neglected to inform her. This is not an allegation of fraud on the part of anyone. It suggests a condition upon a condition. The clear, direct, and unequivocal allegation of a crucial fact is lacking. North Station Wine Co. Inc. v. United Liquors, Ltd. 323 Mass. 48, 51, and cases cited.
by anyone to prove her claim against the estate. Excuse or justification for not complying with the short statute cannot be predicated upon the facts alleged, even though, as we assume, the plaintiff supposed she had done all that was required of her. If a creditor of a decedent estate by engaging the attorney for the special administrator as his own attorney to handle one legal matter with a third party could be allowed to forego suit against the estate on an independent claim, the important quieting effect of the short statute of limitations would be seriously impaired. The plaintiff had reasonable means of knowing her rights. So far as appears, she was inactive from February 3, 1945, until February 13, 1947. Mr. Murray could not have been active later than October 19, 1945, when the special administration terminated. In view of our decisions we are constrained to hold that there was "culpable neglect" within the meaning of G. L. (Ter. Ed.) c. 197, Section 10. Waltham Bank v. Wright, 8 Allen 121. Wells v. Child, 12 Allen 333, 335. Powow River National Bank v. Abbott, 179 Mass. 336. Johnson v. Clabburn, 249 Mass. 216. Haven v. Smith, 250 Mass. 546, 549-550. Nochemson v. Aronson, 279 Mass. 278. In Downey v. Union Trust Co. 312 Mass. 405, relied upon by the plaintiff, there was a finding by a master on unreported evidence that there was no culpable neglect. See First Portland National Bank v. Taylor, 323 Mass. 492, 497.
[Note 1] How and by whom does not appear.

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