Opinion ID: 1122251
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Right To Take Under and Against Will.

Text: In one of the causes of action in connection with the suit in equity, the court was asked that the widow be permitted to take her share under the statute of descent and distribution and also to take under the will. The court ruled to the contrary. That was correct. The claims are inconsistent, and there is no merit in that cause of action. Bayes v. Howes, 113 Ky. 465, 68 S.W. 449; Landers v. Landers, 151 Ky. 206, 151 S.W. 386, 390; Schweer v. Schweer, Mo. App., 86 S.W.2d 969, 974; In re Zweig's Will, 145 Misc. 839, 261 N.Y.S. 400, 408; Akin v. Kellogg, 119 N.Y. 441, 23 N.E. 1046, 1047; In re McCutcheon's Estate, 283 Pa. 157, 128 A. 843, 845, and cases cited; West v. West, 105 Kan. 523, 185 P. 4. Moreover we have already held the widow can only take under the will. The judgment of the court denying the right of Mrs. Hartt to take a distributive share under the statute and also take under the will is affirmed. The judgment permitting the widow to dissent from the will after the statutory time fixed is reversed, and the right to so dissent is denied and her election made after the statutory period is declared void. The judgment of the court removing the executors herein is reversed with direction to reinstate Bible and Brimmer as executors and trustees, with all the rights and duties pertaining to such office under the will of testator, including the right to act as directors of the sheep companies, and make all orders to effectuate what is here stated, and with the following additional directions: The court should determine what amount of salary, in fairness and justice, should be allowed to Bible and Brimmer as salaried officers of the sheep companies here involved, adding that amount, if any, to the statutory fees allowed them for their services as executors, taking into consideration what we have heretofore stated. To these sums should be added any amounts fixed by the court as compensation for any extraordinary services they or their attorneys have been called upon to perform in connection with this estate. If there have been amounts already received by the executors, either as salaries of officers of the sheep companies, as executors or otherwise, such amounts will of course be applied against the amounts to be determined as above and such adjustments made as may be necessary. The court should also fix their salaries, if any, for acting as salaried officials of the sheep companies in the future. The court should make any and all other orders that may be deemed fair, just and necessary within the spirit of what we have herein said. The executors may think this order leaves their compensation within the mercy of the trial judge. But that is more or less true in every case where the trial court fixes and must fix the compensation. Moreover we have the fullest confidence in the trial judge that, after reading this opinion and after causing such testimony to be produced as may be deemed necessary, and particularly testimony, if possible, of disinterested witnesses, he will make such orders which are fair and just and within the spirit of what we have said. The costs taxed on this appeal and incurred by the executors in this court must be repaid to them out of the estate of testator. Willson v. Whitehead, 181 Va. 960, 27 S.E.2d 213, and cases cited. No costs, however, will be taxed for the briefs. Affirmed in part. Reversed in part. HARNSBERGER, J., concurs.