Case Name: In the Matter of the Accounting of Charles A. Robertson et al., as Executors of Frank Henderson, Deceased
Court: New York Surrogate's Court
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1954-03-05
Citations: 205 Misc. 608
Docket Number: 
Parties: In the Matter of the Accounting of Charles A. Robertson et al., as Executors of Frank Henderson, Deceased.
Judges: 
Reporter: New York Miscellaneous Reports
Volume: 205
Pages: 608–610

Head Matter:
In the Matter of the Accounting of Charles A. Robertson et al., as Executors of Frank Henderson, Deceased.
Surrogate’s Court, Kings County,
March 5, 1954.
Proceeding on accounting of executors.
Allin, Riggs & Shaughnessy for executors.
William R. Wilson, special guardian.

Opinion:
Rubenstein, S.
Each of two accounting executors claims he is entitled to a full separate commission. The special guardian objects.
For tax purposes the gross estate exceeded $127,000, of which about $30,000 represented insurance payable to named beneficiaries. The amounts now accounted for are shown as $97,-757.15 principal and $1,717.66 income, totaling $99,474.81. The executors claim that by reason of setting up trusts under the provisions of the will about one year after testator's death income received on the principal of the trusts received by them as trustees brings the total sums received by them in both capacities well over $100,000. They do not believe that their diligence in setting up the trusts so that the beneficiaries would be able to receive the income promptly and without the delay occasioned by administration caused principally by the tax proceedings, thereby producing income to be accounted for by them as trustees, should deprive them from a full commission for each of them.
Subdivision 8 of section 285 of the Surrogate's Court Act, insofar as pertinent, reads as follows: "If the gross value of the principal of the estate or fund accounted for amounts to one hundred thousand dollars or more, each executor is entitled to the full compensation on principal and income allowed herein to a sole executor ". (Emphasis supplied.) The principal of the fund herein accounted for is less than $100,000.
Prior to the enactment of the statutes providing for the grant of compensation to fiduciaries, the court possessed no power to allow any compensation for services. Such compensation as may now be allowed is limited by the statute permitting compensation and pleas addressed to the conscience of the court for greater compensation may not be listened to. Income collected during the administration of the estate is not the principal which the statute requires shall be the basis for the award of full compensation to each executor if the gross value of the principal of the estate accounted for amounts to $100,000 or more (Matter of O'Flyn, 120 N. Y. S. 2d 732; Matter of Sears, 176 Misc. 242; Matter of Roney, 148 Misc. 70). The objection of the special guardian is sustained. One full commission only is allowed to be divided between the two executors.