Court Opinion

ID: 5409992
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-01-08 16:07:33.642502+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:30:45.269550
License: Public Domain

Spencer, J.
The infants, aged nine and ten years, respectively, reside with their mother in the State of Hew Jersey. Their deceased father left real estate in the cities of Hew York and Brooklyn, and also a summer cottage on Lake George in Warren county. Their uncle, O. B. Snyder, a resident of Columbia county, is the petitioner and asks for the sale of the last-mentioned parcel on the ground, among other things, for the payment of their debts. The only debt which the infants are said to owe is a claim made by their mother, Mary A. Wyckoff, for their support since the death of their father.
The application, pursuant to section 2354 of the Code of Civil Procedure, was sent to a referee to inquire into the merits, and his report is now before the court for confirmation. He finds, among other things, that the infants are indebted to their mother in the sum of $632.86 for maintenance and support for the last five years, and that the same is a valid, legal and equitable claim and should be paid out of the proceeds of the sale of the property described in the petition.
I am of the opinion that this part of the report should not receive confirmation. It appears from the testimony, upon which the finding is based, that the mother is the ad*192ministratrix of the father’s estate in the State of Mew Jersey; that, in addition to the real estate, the father left $2,000 personal property which remains invested in a mortgage ; that since his death she has received the income from the real estate and personal property amounting to about $2,000; that, after deducting expenses, taxes and one-third •part as her dower share, there remains a balance of $667.14 belonging to the infants. She credits herself with the sum of $1,300 for their support and claims a balance owing to her of $632.86.
It is evident from the testimony that the mother has employed the income derived from the real and personal estate in the support of herself and children. Upon a settlement of her accounts as administratrix, she would undoubtedly be allowed a reasonable credit for the money thus expended in behalf of the children. But this court, in these proceedings, has no jurisdiction to settle her accounts as such administratrix. That must be accomplished in the forum of her residence and appointment. Her statement of receipts and disbursements made to the referee is not accompanied by any vouchers. The finding of the referee in her favor rests upon her unsupported statement, expressed in the most general terms and giving only gross amounts without particulars. The accounts of an administrator or executor could not be passed in this manner in any court of which I have knowledge.
But it is said that no objection is made by the guardian against the claim and, therefore, the court should allow it. The case of Wilkes v. Rogers, 6 Johns. 566, is cited as an authority for this proposition. It is true that in that case the chancellor refused to -allow the mother’s claim for the support of her infant children, although not excepted to by the guardian, and such decision was reversed by the Court of Errors, that court holding that, when the chancellor appointed a guardian, his full duty to the infant was performed and that he could not set aside a report not excepted to by the guardian, although convinced that it was not just to the infant, the court remarking, “ He cannot act as judge and guardian at one and the same time.”
*193I cannot think this rule prevails in proceedings under our statute for the sale of infants’ real estate. The report of the referee is not binding upon the court. The referee simply returns the testimony with his opinion and it is left for the court to determine whether a proper case has been made or not.
Without, therefore, passing upon the important and interesting question whether a claim by a mother for the past support of her infant children may constitute a debt for the payment of which their real estate may be sold under the provisions of the statute, I decline to confirm that part of this report, in so far as it allows such claim, on the ground that the court has no jurisdiction to adjudicate a claim in her behalf based, in whole or in part, upon her dealings as administratrix with the estate of her husband in a foreign jurisdiction. Manifestly, some part of the infants’ support has been met by funds belonging to the estate; and, in order tc determine what, if anything, is owing from them to her, it is necessary to adjudicate respecting her accounts as such administratrix. Such an adjudication this court should not attempt. The failure of the guardian to resist the allowance of the claim might excuse, but will not justify, the court in making such a determination. The motion, therefore, to confirm such parts of said report as allow the aforesaid claim, either directly or indirectly, is denied.
But, as it sufficiently appears from the testimony and the report of the referee that it will be for the best interests of the infants to sell the property described in the petition, for the reason that the personal property and the income of their real estate are insufficient for their support and education, an .order may be made confirming the report of the referee in these respects and directing the guardian to contract for the sale of the real estate in accordance with the terms specified in said report, the proceeds to.be invested for the benefit of the infants and to be used for their maintenance and education as the court may from time to time direct.
Ordered accordingly.