Court Opinion

ID: 6413485
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-06-25 11:54:25.562298+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:51:27.295856
License: Public Domain

Dewey, J.
In ignorance of the existence of a last will of Susan S. Edwards, letters of administration on her estate were granted to her husband, Thomas Edwards. Subsequently this administration was superseded by the probate of a will, disposing of her estate, and appointing George W. Ela her executor. The questions in the case now before us arise upon the account of administration rendered by Thomas Edwards, and in which are found the charges objected to by the executor.
1. As to the items of charge in this account for expenses incurred in the employment of counsel to oppose the probate of tfie will, and other expenses connected therewith, we think they should not be allowed. The administrator, as to much that occurred in the progress of the settlement of the estate, might properly be considered as the representative of the heirs and creditors, and, while acting in good faith in prosecuting or defending claims for their benefit, should be fully indemnified for all reasonable expenditures occasioned thereby. But he was not called upon, in the discharge of his official duty as administrator, to employ counsel to oppose the probate of a will of the deceased. That question goes out of his sphere of action, and may affect interests that he does not represent, and money expended by him in opposing the probate of the will is or may be expended adversely to the interest of those who are to enjoy the estate as devisees. Such opposition may be safely left to the heirs at law, personally to protect their interests, if endangered by setting up an instrument purporting to be a will. With the liberal rule generally adopted by this court, as to the refusal to award costs against the party opposing the probate of a will disinheriting the heirs at law, we see no reason in this case foi *90going further, and charging upon the estate of the testator the expenses incurred in opposing the probate of the will, and more especially so in a case like the present, where the administrator was personally deeply interested as her late husband, and entitled, under the statute of distribution of intestate estates, to her personal estate, if no will was established.
2. As to the charges for expenses in procuring the ancillary administration in New Hampshire, and in indemnifying persons employed to aid in giving effect to the purposes of such ancillary administration, in the collection of debts due from persons resident in New Hampshire: These charges are somewhat questionable, but they were performed in good faith, and were for the benefit of all persons who were to succeed to the estate of the deceased. Thomas Edwards was the principal administrator, Susan S. Edwards being a resident of Massachusetts, and having deceased here. As principal administrator, be was properly the representative of the general creditors, the next of kin and the heirs. Smith v. Sherman, 4 Cush. 408. As such, although he could not officially act in New Hampshire, yet finding that there were debts there due to his intestate which would eventually pass into his hands for general distribution among the heirs at law, it seems reasonable that the necessary expenditures incurred and paid by him in legally effecting that object should be allowed.
3. As to the charges for services and expenses in the management of the real estate : The administrator may, if the heirs at law do not object, occupy the real estate, accounting for the rents of the same. Stearns v. Stearns, 1 Pick. 156. The Rev Sts. c. 67, § 6, assume that the administrator may in some cases thus occupy the real estate, and direct that he shall account for the income thereof. The case finds that these expenditures were incurred in securing the fruits and crops growing on the place, and taking care of the stock on the farm, with the knowledge of the heirs at law, and without objection thereto on their part, and it also appears that for all the fruits arid produce of the farm so secured by him, he has duly charged himself in his account of administration. Upon this state ol *91the facts, his charges for these expenditures should be allowed him.
The account will be settled conformably to these rulings.