Court Opinion

ID: 9833616
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-01 22:53:28.86215+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:44:05.209053
License: Public Domain

On Rehearing.
We are convinced that we were in error in overruling appellants’ assignment of error reading as follows: “The court erred in allowing the said J. H. Huff the following item: ‘Executor’s commission, 5%— $159.46’, on the $1892.42 item listed as money paid out from October, 1930, to August 30, 1933; in that the uncontro-verted evidence showed the said Huff during said time acted without authority, and the same was not incurred in course 'of any administration; which items appear in said report filed December 6, 1934, in the, county court.”
Reasonable attorney’s fees, etc. (incurred in an effort to probate a will), are allowed to a person appointed as executor in a will, provided he has acted in good faith and as a reasonably prudent person would in the management of his business, regardless of whether he succeeds or fails. But only such -expenses are. allowed as are reasonable and proper under the circumstances; the determination of what is a reasonable amount being for the court or jury.
The arbitrary commission of 5 per cent, on receipts and disbursements was not allowed as a reasonable expense properly incurred by the supposed executor for the benefit of the estate. The recovery of commissions was evidently allowed because fixed by statute as the per cent, of receipts and disbursements the executor is to receive as a fee incident to the office of executor. Not being a lawful executor, he was not entitled to such statutory executor’s commission. Said assignment is sustained. The judgment will be re*447formed so as to deny J. H. Huff recovery of executor’s commissions.
The motion for rehearing to the extent indicated is granted, otherwise overruled, and our former opinion is so modified.