Bell v. Smith
This text of 138 S.E.2d 34 (Bell v. Smith) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Supreme Court of North Carolina primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.
Opinion
If a defendant in a civil action is non compos mentis, he must defend by general or testamentary guardian if he has one within the State, otherwise by guardian ad litem to be appointed by the court. Hood v. Holding, 205 N.C. 451, 171 S.E. 633. The court may not quash the service on an incompetent, but should see to it that he is properly represented before any action is taken which is detrimental to his interests. Either party, or the court upon its own motion, may initiate proceedings for the appointment of a guardian ad litem before any hearing on the merits.
Affirmed.
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Cite This Page — Counsel Stack
138 S.E.2d 34, 262 N.C. 540, 1964 N.C. LEXIS 677, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/bell-v-smith-nc-1964.