Court Opinion

ID: 6698706
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-07-20 22:02:46.680081+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:01:20.290961
License: Public Domain

Winborne J.
While appellant debates the question as to what estate Charles A. Daniel took under the deeds in question, viewed in the light of the fact that both grantees died instantaneously in a common disaster, the appellee appropriately interjects the question as to the jurisdiction of the court over the subject matter of, and parties to this proceeding. The challenge to jurisdiction is not upon the ground that the jurisdiction of the Superior Court is derivative and consequently fails for lack of jurisdiction in the Clerk, but that the Superior Court would have been without jurisdiction to entertain the proceeding if it had been instituted originally in that court. These authorities, upon which the appellee relies, support his contention: McIntosh in N. C. P. & P., page 68; Alsbrook v. Reid, 89 N. C., 151; Perkins v. Caldwell, 77 N. C., 433; Balsley v. Balsley, 116 N. C., 472, 21 S. E., 954; Moore v. Rankin, 172 N. C., 599, 90 S. E., 759.
The petitioner invokes the aid, and seeks the advice of a court of equity, when the questions involved are questions of law, regarding which an adequate remedy at law is provided. And a court of equity will not lend its aid in any case where the party seeking it has a full and complete remedy at law. Moore v. Rankin, supra. The deeds in-question convey legal estates. The construction of them presents purely legal questions, and the statutes relating to proceeding to sell land to make assets to pay debts, G. S., 28-81, et seq., prescribe a full, complete and adequate remedy at law by which the petitioner as administrator of Charles A. Daniel, upon compliance with the provisions of the statute, may reach land of which his intestate died seized. To such proceeding the heirs at law of the intestate are necessary parties, G. S., 28-87, and where, as here, the land is claimed by another, such claimant may be admitted to be heard as a party to the proceeding or may be brought in as a party thereto. G. S., 28-88. McKeel v. Holloman, 163 N. C., 132, 79 S. E., 445. And when an issue of law or fact is joined between the parties, the course of procedure shall be as prescribed in such cases for other special proceedings. G. S., 28-89.
The record discloses that neither the petitioner nor the heirs of Charles A. Daniel were parties to the proceeding instituted by the administrator of Noria A. Wood for the purpose of selling land to make assets to pay her debts. Hence, they are in no respect bound or prejudiced by the judgment therein rendered.
The action is
Dismissed.