Case Name: Emma Lair v. Isaac Keys et el.
Court: Kentucky Court of Appeals
Jurisdiction: Kentucky
Decision Date: 1867-06-28
Citations: 1 Ky. Op. 599
Docket Number: 
Parties: Emma Lair v. Isaac Keys et el.
Judges: 
Reporter: Kentucky Opinions, containing the unreported opinions of the Court of Appeals
Volume: 1
Pages: 599–599

Head Matter:
Emma Lair v. Isaac Keys et el.
Executors and Administrators — Transfer of Property.
Where personal property is absolutely transferred to a testator’s widow, the legal title at her death passed to her administrator, who alone could make a transfer of it.
Same — Liability of Administrator for Default in Transferring Property.
Where an administrator refuses to make a transfer of stock left by an estate, though through an erroneous impression, whereby a suit is necessary to enforce said transfer, the administrator will be held liable for the costs of court.
APPEAL PROM HARRISON CIRCUIT COURT.
Gurry, for Appellant.
Rodman, for Appellees.
June 28, 1867.

Opinion:
Opinion op the Oourt by
Judge Eobertson :
The stock having been absolutely transferred to the testator's widow, the legal title, on her death, passed to her administrator, who alone could transfer it to the appellant, who was, in fact, the beneficial owner of it. He, erroneously thinking that he had nothing to transfer, because he admitted the equitable title of the appellant, refused to make the transfer, and the officers of the Commercial Bank properly required his transfer as necessary for vesting the legal title in her. This suit, therefore, became necessary. And the judgment of the Circuit Court is erroneous for two reasons: 1st, because the appellee, Keys, instead of the bank, ought to have been required to make the transfer; and 2d, because the default of the administrator having made the suit proper, he, and not the appellant, ought to pay the costs.
Wherefore, the judgment is reversed, and the cause remanded for a decree conformable with this opinion.