Opinion ID: 1483018
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 11

Heading: Effect of the Decree of Distribution.

Text: It is contended by appellees that the decree of distribution authorized the transaction and therefore it precludes assertion of the remedies by appellants. In the decree of distribution, regarding the agreement for transfer of the mining claims and the stock, it was provided: And it further appearing to the court, and the Court finds, that said arrangement is a reasonable arrangement, that it had been made with the consent and with the approval of the heirs, and that it had been approved by their personal representative and attorney in fact, Bjarne Bruun; It also decreed that Bean executed a quit claim deed as administrator to the mining claims, upon condition that the Arizona company issue stock in amounts and to those specified in the agreement of July 15, 1931, and discharged Bean of his trust upon payment and delivery of the residue of the estate and filing of proper vouchers to that effect. Under the law of Idaho an heir may convey his interest in real property to a third person before the final decree of distribution is made, and if the conveyance is undisputed, the probate court may order distribution thereof to the grantee or assignee. 1 Ida.Code, Ann., 1932, § 15-1315; In re Estate of Blackinton, supra. We may assume, as appellees contend, that the probate court may also order distribution of personal property, such as the stock here in question, to a transferee. A probate court in Idaho has jurisdiction to order and regulate all distributions of property or estates of deceased persons. 1 Ida.Code, Ann., 1932, § 1-1202. Regarding the final decree of distribution, 1 Ida.Code, Ann., 1932, § 15-1307, provides: In the order or decree the court must name the persons and the proportions or parts to which each shall be entitled   . Such order or decree is conclusive as to the rights of heirs, legatees or devisees, subject only to be reversed, set aside or modified on appeal. In Miller v. Mitcham, 21 Idaho 745, 123 P. 941, 942, it is said that the probate court has jurisdiction to determine who are the heirs of a deceased person, and who is entitled to succeed to the estate and their respective shares and interests therein and the decrees of probate courts are conclusive in such matters. See also: Connolly v. Probate Court, 25 Idaho 35, 45, 136 P. 205. On the other hand, the probate court has no jurisdiction to determine title to a particular share as between an heir and his transferee. Coats v. Harris, 9 Idaho 458, 468, 75 P. 243; Miller v. Mitcham, supra; In re Estate of Blackinton, supra; White v. Smith, 43 Idaho 354, 253 P. 849, 853. From the foregoing it is apparent that the probate court may determine who the heirs of an estate are, what the proportion is to which each is entitled in the estate, and to order distribution of the estate to the heirs in the proportions so determined. In the event of transfer by an heirs of his share, the probate court may order distribution of such share to the transferee, if the transfer is not questioned, but in that event the order does not adjudicate validity of title between the heir and transferee, because the court has no jurisdiction to determine that question any more in the case where the transfer is unquestioned than it does when the transfer is questioned. The effect of the order in that respect is merely to protect the administrator as such against a charge of wrongful distribution. The rules as thus determined by the Idaho court, comport with the general rules regarding the effect of judgments. Such a judgment is conclusive as to the issues actually raised, as well as those which could have been raised. In the event the transfer by the heir is unquestioned, no issue is raised in that respect, and not being raised is not decided, and since it is an issue which the probate court cannot determine, such issue is not one which can be raised for decision. If it is raised the court does not decide it, but orders distribution to the heir, and leaves the issue to be determined in a separate suit. Since the distribution was here made to Hanson and Bean in their individual capacities, they stand in that respect as strangers or third persons to the estate and transferees of the heirs, and the final decree of distribution did not adjudicate the issue as between Hanson, Bean and the heirs, and the heirs are not estopped to raise the question now by reason thereof.