Court Opinion

ID: 6141625
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-02-05 14:40:35.959266+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:54:40.212082
License: Public Domain

The Surrogate.
In the will of Daniel Hardy, the following provision appears : 661 make, constitute and appoint the trustees for the time being of Magnolia Lodge, Ho. 166, Independent Order of Odd Fellows to be executors of this my last will and testament.”
The question is now raised—can the present trustees qualify as executors, and if so, must changes be made in the executors as often as the trustees change in the lodge ?
As a general rule, a will speaks from the death of the testator, unless otherwise specially directed. The trustees of the lodge at that time are the persons designated by the testator as executors. It is not necessary that he should designate them by particular names. Had he appointed the president of the Brooklyn Trust Company to act as his executor, it would have been a good appointment, for it was capable of being made certain. And in the case at bar the testator appoints the trustees of the Magnolia Lodge, Ho. 166, etc., for the time being. That is a definite appointment, for they are persons *93who ca:i be easily ascertained, and when so, they are the persons whom the testator intended to appoint to administer his estate. Upon their qualification, they continue to act as such executors until they are discharged by a court of competent jurisdiction. They do not change, and other persons become substituted in their places, as the new trustees of the lodge are elected. Once having assumed the duties, they must continue.
In order that the court may ascertain the names of the trustees of the Magnolia Lodge, No. 166, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, they may make a written application for letters testamentary, and, upon the requisite proof by such trustees, letters may issue accordingly.