Opinion ID: 1796199
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: facts

Text: ¶ 2. Ezell Boogie Thomas died intestate on August 27, 1997. He was never married. His estate consisted solely of claims for unliquidated damages against R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. and others for injuries caused by cigarette smoking. Glenda Joyce Thomas, a sister of the decedent, administratrix of the estate, and petitioner before this Court, instituted estate proceedings on November 10, 1997. The notice to creditors was first published on November 13, 1997. When Ms. Thomas (the administratrix) filed the petition to administer the estate, she listed only one of Thomas's children, Natasha Gail Motley (Natasha), as a surviving heir, as well as Thomas's mother, one brother, four sisters, and a half sister. The petition stated only the cities in which the purported heirs lived and showed Natasha as living in Houston, Texas. [2] No process was served on the purported heirs. ¶ 3. The administration was dormant until August 6, 2001, at which time a petition to distribute $2,200 from the estate was filed by the administratrix, joined by two sisters of the decedent, Elisha Clark and Louise Griffin. There was a signature line for Natasha [3] to join also, but it was not signed. The petition stated that these four were the only remaining heirs at law. The subsequent order dated August 2, 2001, authorizing disbursement of the funds, noted that Natasha cannot be located and her share of the funds should be paid into the registry of the chancery court to be held until she could be found. Despite having listed Natasha on the initial petition, and later acknowledging that Thomas had a son, Donnie, the administratrix failed to give notice of the administration of their father's estate to either Natasha or Donnie [4] , as Thomas's illegitimate children and thus potential heirs. ¶ 4. Because heirship was important in the suit against RJR pending at the time of Thomas's death, RJR moved to have Thomas's sister removed as administratrix and for determination of Thomas's lawful heirs. The chancellor reserved ruling on that motion, but on December 28, 2001, he ordered a determination of heirs, as requested by RJR, and directed the administratrix to file statutory heirship proceedings within 45 days. He further ordered her to secure valid process on all necessary parties, including any and all illegitimate children of Ezell Thomas. The petition for such determination, filed January 15, 2002, named both Natasha and Donnie as potential heirs, but still noted their residency as only Houston, Texas. However, summonses were issued for Natasha by full address in Houston, and to Donnie, by inclusion in the notice to defendants by publication. ¶ 5. Natasha subsequently executed an affidavit declaring that she is the daughter of Ezell Thomas and Willie Marie Motley, asserting her claim to her father's estate, and stating that she believes that the administratrix and/or her sisters knew of her whereabouts and how to contact her. She requested to be present at the heirship hearing but stated that she did not have counsel and was financially unable to make the trip from Houston on such short notice. RJR filed this affidavit on March 11, 2002. ¶ 6. The hearing was re-scheduled, and on April 30, 2002, determination of the heirs of Ezell Thomas was begun. The trial court heard testimony from the administratrix Glenda Joyce Thomas; Natasha's mother, Willie Marie Motley; and Natasha. Also present that day were a number of nieces and nephews and several siblings of Ezell Thomas, none represented by counsel. During preliminary inquiry by the chancellor as to who was present and what relation they were to the deceased, he asked if anyone in that group was there to contest the fact that Natasha is an heir. No one responded. He then rephrased his question to say that he interpreted the silence to mean that nobody is contesting the fact that [Natasha] may be the child of the decedent. Is that right? Again, no response. The assembled group was also asked if anyone knew the whereabouts of Donnie Thomas. None did. The testimony of the three witnesses clearly supported the fact that Natasha was the daughter of Ezell Thomas. The chancellor took the matter of Natasha's heirship under advisement, scheduled a continuation of the hearing for a later date, and noted that diligent search and inquiry should be made for an address for Donnie, as well summons by publication being issued. ¶ 7. Donnie was finally located after diligent and exhaustive search via the internet and was served with process on May 28, 2002. He was present when court reconvened on June 11 and testified on behalf of his claim to be adjudicated as the son of Ezell Thomas. Others testifying on his behalf were Donnie's mother, Betty Joyce Howard, and her sister, Jackie. A number of the blood relatives were also present and represented by counsel, and testimony was given by three nieces and two nephews of the decedent. ¶ 8. The chancery court found, upon clear and convincing evidence, that Natasha and Donnie were the sole heirs at law of Ezell Thomas. The decedent's other relatives appealed, asserting that the statute of limitations had lapsed for the decedent's illegitimate children and that the chancellor erred in finding that Natasha and Donnie were the sole heirs. The Court of Appeals reversed and rendered, holding that the one-year statute of limitations prohibiting suits to determine heirs cannot be tolled. Upon our review on certiorari, we disagree and reverse the judgment of the Court of Appeals and reinstate and affirm the chancellor's judgment.