Court Opinion

ID: 4889195
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-09-02 23:47:32.637841+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:06:48.245031
License: Public Domain

Roberts, J. -
There is no statement of facts or bill of exceptions in the record of this case, and the only question which can be inquired into is the ruling of the Court overruling the exceptions of defendants below, Baldwin et al., to the sufficiency of Dearborn’s petition. The petitioner seeks to recover, as administrator de bonis non, of the former administrator, Yickery, and the sureties on his bond, damages for failing to deliver over the property in his hands on demand, and to make a settlement for the funds of the estate in his possession. The petition and amendments set forth the bond executed in 1854, and the inventories for the years 1852,1853; 1854 and 1855. The last one of which was filed after the bond, now sued on, was given, and shows the amount of property in the hands of the administrator, Yickery, by referring to previous inventories. The amount of property thus shown to have been in the hands of the former administrator, after giving this bond, was of value alleged to be greater than the amount of the verdict found by the jury. These facts are stated with some indirectness and circuity, though with sufficient certainty. And the question of law arising upon them *448is simply whether the sureties of an administrator are liable for Ms failing to deliver over to his successor on demand, property shown to be in his hands and not accounted for after the date of his bond as administrator.
By the terms of the bond the sureties bind themselves for the performance by the administrator of “ all the duties required of him under said appointment.” (Hart. Dig., Art. 1132.) An administrator de bonis non succeeds to all the rights, powers and duties of the former administrator, and has power to settle with, receive from, or sue for all property of whatever character remaining in the hands of the former administrator ; and also he has “ power to bring suit on the bond of the former administrator in Ms own name, as administrator, for all the estate that has not been accounted for by such former administrator.” (Hart. Dig., Art, 1224.)
This suit then is brought by express authority of the Statute, as well as in consonance with the spirit and policy of the law regulating decedents' estates.
The petition contains a good cause of action against both the principal and sureties • and as there is no statement of facts or bill of exceptions, we must presume that the facts in evidence before the jury sustained the verdict. (Walling v. Kennard, 10 Tex. R. 508.) And for the same reason we cannot review the charge of the Court in this case, as there is nothing in the record to show that it was erroneous with reference to the facts of the case. (Davis v. Loftin, 6 Tex. R. 489.)
Judgment affirmed.