Case Name: In the Matter of the Application to Fix Compensation of Attorney Pursuant to Section 231-a of the Surrogate's Court Act, in the Estate of Adolph G. Austin, Also Known as Adolphus G. Austin, Deceased. Herbert L. Fuller and Edward Mason Mowton, as Administrators C. T. A. of Adolph G. Austin, Deceased, Appellants; Robert S. Mullen, Respondent
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1938-11-04
Citations: 255 A.D. 854
Docket Number: 
Parties: In the Matter of the Application to Fix Compensation of Attorney Pursuant to Section 231-a of the Surrogate’s Court Act, in the Estate of Adolph G. Austin, Also Known as Adolphus G. Austin, Deceased. Herbert L. Fuller and Edward Mason Mowton, as Administrators C. T. A. of Adolph G. Austin, Deceased, Appellants; Robert S. Mullen, Respondent.
Judges: 
Reporter: Appellate Division Reports
Volume: 255
Pages: 854–854

Head Matter:
In the Matter of the Application to Fix Compensation of Attorney Pursuant to Section 231-a of the Surrogate’s Court Act, in the Estate of Adolph G. Austin, Also Known as Adolphus G. Austin, Deceased. Herbert L. Fuller and Edward Mason Mowton, as Administrators C. T. A. of Adolph G. Austin, Deceased, Appellants; Robert S. Mullen, Respondent.

Opinion:
In a proceeding by an attorney to fix the value of the legal services rendered to the executor of an estate (now deceased) pursuant to section 231-a, Surrogate's Court Act, the successor representatives of the estate contested the value of the services and alleged payment in full by numerous checks. The petitioner testified from memory that some of the checks were paid on account of other matters. In the decision the value of the services was determined and the disputed amount was divided equally between the parties [estates]. There is no rational basis in the evidence for such division. Decree reversed on the law and the facts and the matter remitted to the Surrogate's Court, Westchester county, for a new hearing, with costs to abide the event. Lazansky, P. J., Davis, Johnston, Adel and Close, JJ., concur.