Flinn v. Gouley

73 P. 542, 139 Cal. 623, 1903 Cal. LEXIS 875

• Court: California Supreme Court
• Decided: July 18, 1903
• Docket: S.F. No. 2704.
• Status: Published

Opinion

HENSHAW, J.

The action was brought to foreclose the lien of a street assessment. Ellen Gouley, individually, and Ellen Gouley, as administratrix of the estate of Bridget O’Hare, deceased, were made defendants in the title of the action. There is no allegation in the complaint touching the estate of Bridget 0 ’Hare, no allegation of the appointment of Ellen Gouley as administratrix, and no allegation that she was acting in that capacity.. A general appearance was entered by Ellen Gouley, individually, and as administratrix of the estate of Bridget O’Hare, deceased. The judgment was for the;foreclosure of the lien, upon the interest of Ellen Gouley in the property, and the interest of. the estate of Bridget 0 ’Hare, ‘represented by Ellen Gouley as administratrix. The estate of Bridget O’Hare cannot be bound by this judgment in the absence of a proper averment" showing that the representative of her estate is before the court. (Fairfield v. Price, 40 Cal. 535.) "Thé judgment, therefore, against Ellen Gouley, as. administratrix of .the estate of. Bridget O’Hare, deceased, must be reversed. It is'said by"respondent that the administratrix was not a necessary party -to this' action, arid herein- reliance- is had upon thé case of Phelan v. Dunn, 72 Cal. 229.. In that ease the personal .representative was not sued, but the devisee of the property under the will was made defendant.' Whether that was the course here pursued cannot be determined. If it be so, then respondent will not be injuriously affected by the. reversal of the judgment as to Ellen Gouley, -administratrix. ;

The judgment, so far as it purports to foreclose the interest of the estate of Bridget 0 ’Hare, deceased,' is reversed.'- In .all other respects the judgment is' affirihed.

McFarland, J., arid’ Lorigan) 3., concurred.