Carpenter v. Superior Court

19 P. 500, 77 Cal. 291, 1888 Cal. LEXIS 684

• Court: California Supreme Court
• Decided: October 27, 1888
• Docket: No. 12305
• Status: Published

Opinion

Works, J.

The questions of law arising in this case were fully presented by a demurrer to the petition, and determined in favor of the petitioners. The respondent has filed an answer, and the petitioners move for judgment on the pleadings, on the ground that “it appears from the pleadings that petitioners are entitled to the relief asked for in the petition.”

The answer is, that the order mentioned in the petition, vacating and setting aside the verdict and judgment mentioned and set forth in said petition, was made, given, and entered, “because the minors described in said petition were not and had not been represented in the matter of the contest to revoke the probate of the will of said C. W. Carpenter, deceased, in that no guardian ad litem, has or had been appointed to appear for and defend for said minors in the matter of said contest, and that by reason of the said failure to appoint said guardian ad litem for said minors, the said verdict and judgment was irregular and void.”

The petition states the facts showing how and by whom the minors appeared and were represented. This petition was held to show that the minors were so represented that the judgment rendered was binding upon them, and the order vacating it was not effective. It was expressly held that the appointment of a guardian ad litem was unnecessary to the validity of the judgment. This being true, the answer presents no material fact to be tried, and the motion for judgment on the pleadings in favor of the petitioners should be allowed.

It is so ordered.

McFarland, J., Searls, 0. X, Sharpstein, X, and Thornton, J., concurred.