Case Name: Margaret Mann GOGGIN and Grace Krag, Executrices of the Estate of Carrie Ernest P. Wheelan, also known as Carrie Wheelan, Deceased, Appellants, v. Kathleen SHANLEY, Appellee
Court: Florida Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Florida
Decision Date: 1955-07-22
Citations: 81 So. 2d 728
Docket Number: 
Parties: Margaret Mann GOGGIN and Grace Krag, Executrices of the Estate of Carrie Ernest P. Wheelan, also known as Carrie Wheelan, Deceased, Appellants, v. Kathleen SHANLEY, Appellee.
Judges: THOMAS, SEBRING, HOBSON and THORNAL, JJ., and KANNER, Associate Justice, concur.
Reporter: Southern Reporter, Second Series
Volume: 81
Pages: 728–731

Head Matter:
Margaret Mann GOGGIN and Grace Krag, Executrices of the Estate of Carrie Ernest P. Wheelan, also known as Carrie Wheelan, Deceased, Appellants, v. Kathleen SHANLEY, Appellee.
Supreme Court of Florida. En Banc.
July 22, 1955.
Morrissey & Vogel, Miami, for appellants.
Brunstetter & Netter, Miami, for appel-lees.

Opinion:
TERRELL, Justice.
May 28, 1952, Kathleen Shanley, a registered nurse, filed claim against the Estate of Carrie Ernest P. Wheeian for $1,943 to cover services for nursing decedent. February 13, 1952, notice to creditors was given but no objection to the claim of Kathleen Shanley was ever filed. February 26, 1953, the executrices moved to strike said claim, contending it was barred by the statute of limitations: The Probate Judge denied the motion and set the cause for hearing May 20, 1953, to determine whether or not the claim was barred by the statute of limitations. At this hearing testimony was taken and on July 13, 1953, the Probate Judge entered his order finding that the statute of limitations had run against said claim, account of which payment was barred. From the order of the Probate Court an appeal was taken to the Circuit Court, who found that the Probate Judge was without power under the statute to adjudicate the claim of Miss Shanley but could do no more than require the executrices to pay said claim since they failed to raise any objection to its payment when filed or at any time. He accordingly reversed the judgment of the Probate Court with directions to require the executrices to pay the claim but without prejudice to the beneficiaries of the estate to. surcharge the executrices for failure to object to payment. We are confronted with an appeal from that order.
Several questions were urged for reversal but the Circuit Court found that the question before him was whether or not the Probate Court had jurisdiction to determine the issue as to running of the statute of limitations against Kathleen Shanley's claim.
The answer to this question turns on the interpretation of Section 733.18, F.S.1953, F.S.A., which provides inter alia that the claimant bring suit against the personal representative in the appropriate court wherein all questions having to do with the amount and validity of the claim will he determined.- The personal representatives, appellants in this case, contend that failure to file objections to the claim did not forbid contesting it here but had the effect of transferring the cause to the Probate Court as the proper forum. Shambow v. Shambow, 149 Fla. 278, 5 So.2d 454, and Dill v. Stevens, 144 Fla. 307, 196 So. 811, 197 So. 849, are relied on to support this contention. These cases treat facts of kindred significance and may be said to be persuasive.
We find, as did the Circuit Court, that the Probate Court was without power to reject the claim or to determine disputed questions of fact that have to do with or which may conclude the question of validity. The Probate Act provides for determination of the controverted claims against estates. It does not detail the procedure. It appears that the validity of the Shanley claim turned on the determination of conflicting evidence which could have been determined by a jury if the executrices had seasonably objected to it. Miss Shanley's right to sue certainly was not forfeited because there was no objection to her claim.
The Circuit Judge correctly found the basic point in the case to be that the personal representatives of decedent and not the Probate Judge is charged with responsibility for administering the estate and is liable for his acts of omission. Had the claim in' question been objected to and suit timely brought, payment could have appropriately been rejected, regardless of its merits. The executrices should not now be permitted to ignore the statute of limitations and in the same breath implore the court to raise it against the creditor. Failure of the personal representatives to act should not be permitted to destroy Miss Shanley's right to compensation.
We are likewise convinced that the Circuit Court was correct in holding that there was no merit to the contention that the jury was or could have been waived. It is true that waiver may be invoked where a case is properly brought, pleadings tendered and the issues made in the orthodox manner. Probate issues are tried by the court without a jury, but jurisdiction may not be waived or conferred by consent. The right to trial by jury in a court of law may not be waived or forfeited in another court where jury trial is not permitted. The statute, Section 733.18, F.S.1953, F.S.A., is not altogether clear as to filing objections and other phases leading to and determination of suits against personal representatives, but the Circuit Judge imposed this interpretation on it which we feel impelled to follow.
The judgment appealed from is therefore affirmed.
Affirmed.
THOMAS, SEBRING, HOBSON and THORNAL, JJ., and KANNER, Associate Justice, concur.
DREW, C. J., concurs specially.