Heirs & Legatees of Porter's Estate v. Heydock

6 Vt. 374

• Court: Supreme Court of Vermont
• Decided: March 15, 1834
• Status: Published

Opinion

The opinion of the court was pronounced by

Phelps, J.

— Martha Porter, it appears, was a citizen of New-Hampshire, and died there, leaving a will. The appellant took letters testamentary upon her estate (or letters of administration, which does not appear, nor is it important) in that state. But the testator being possessed of a large estate situate in this state, it became necessary to take letters of administration in this state also, with the will annexed; which it seems was done. By virtue of this authority, the appellant possessed himself of a large property, and in pursuance of the direction of the will, sold real estate to a considerable amount, for which he has not accounted. It seems that the appellant has recently been called upon, by the probate court in this state, to render an account of his administration, and that a decree passed in that court against him, from which he has appealed to this court. The account has been referred to a commissioner, who .has reported a balance in the hands of the appellant of $7145, 33-100ths. Exception is now taken to this report, partly upon the ground or certain allowances made by the commissioner, but mainly upon an alleged want of jurisdiction, either in the probate court, or in this court, over the subject matter.

And first, he objects that the commissioner has charged him with the sum of $4000 00 for certain real estate sold at auction, which estate he alleges was sold for the sum of $3100 only. The facts as reported are simply, that the estate was sold at auction and bid off by the appellant himself, at the sum of $3100, but shortly afterwards sold by him at private sale for the sum of $4000. Upon this objection it is sufficient to remark, that an executor or administrator is considered as a trustee, and, as such, is never permitted to speculate upon his trust, or to make a profit upon a purchase and re-sale of the trust property. The reasons for this rule are too obvious to require explanation, and the rule itself is, at this day, too well settled to admit of debate.. — The principal objection, however, is the want of jurisdiction. The testatrix, he says, was domiciled in New Hampshire — died there — administration was granted to the appellant there — the administration in this state is merely ancillary — that the final settlement and distribution of the estate must be made there — and that the heirs and legatees must apply there for such portions as they are entitled to.

Admitting all this to be true, it by no means follows that there is a want of jurisdiction in this court, or a defect of power to enforce a full accountability, for all the effects of the testator, lying in this state. It is universally conceded, that the jurisdiction over the vacant effects of deceased persons is strictly local; and that all authority to administer upon or dispose of such effects, must be derived from the lex rei sites. Hence it has been held, that letters of administration granted in one state are of no authority in another; but whenever the effects of a deceased person are situated in different sovereignties, administration must be taken in both. This has been repeatedly decided by our courts, and, so far as we are made acquainted with the decisions of our sister states, is so held in all; except in one state, where the subject is otherwise regulated by statute. See Lee vs. Havens, Broughton’s Reports. Mott’s Administrator vs. Barret, 5 Vt. Rep. In conformity with this rule, it has also been held, upon a principle of reciprocity, that an administrator appointed in any state, will not be held to account there, for effects received in another jurisdiction, by virtue of an authority conferred by the latter. This has been the un^orm ^aw Massachusetts, the decisions of whose courts are c*tec* m argument, and seems to flow, as a necessary consequence, from the concession of jurisdiction to the locus rei sites. See Story’s Conflict of Laws, 422, note — and the numerous authorities there cited.

These principles would seem to be decisive of this case. If the power of granting administration of these effects is conceded to appertain exclusively to our probate courts, it necessarily follows, that their jurisdiction remains until the administration is consummated. The idea that there is vested in our courts a sort of inchoate or imperfect jurisdiction, which exhausts itself in limine, or yields, at any stage of the proceeding, to the paramount authority of a foreign jurisdiction, is not only absurd in itself, but is inconsistent with that sovereignty which is the essential attribute of every independent state.

It is argued, that we have- the power to enforce an accountability in this case, so far as to cause payment of all debts due to our citizens from the testator, but this object being effected, that, as to the distribution and final disposition of the surplus, whether among heirs or legatees, the subject is regulated by the leso domicilii of the .testator, and is exclusively within the jurisdiction of the courts of New Hampshire; and that, therefore, we have no power to require an account, for the benefit of the heirs or legatees, or to malee a final decree in their favor.

That the lex domicilii would govern the distribution of the personal effects, if there be any, in the absence of a will, is conceded; but this no more conflicts with our jurisdiction, than does the sale which applies the lex loci contractus to an ordinary contract. But as to the real estate, its descent would be regulated by our laws, and, even in case of will, it must, to be effectual (i. e. as to real estate) conform to the requirements of our laws. See Story’s Conflict of Laws, 398, and authorities there cited.' — Ibid. 404-405. With respect to the real estate, therefore, it is not only subject to our jurisdiction, but must be disposed of conformably to our laws. But however this may be, the rule which is to govern us has no bearing upon the question of jurisdiction. I have already shown, that if jurisdiction over this subject exist at all, in our courts, it must be ample and perfect — fully commensurate with the necessities for its exercise; and that in conformity with the settled law on this subject, the courts of New Hampshire could not call the appellant to account there, for effects received here. If they would not, it must be upon the ground, that the power appertains exclusively to the courts of this state. In short, the a.c-countability is to us if to any one.

In the very nature of the proceedings in the probate court, no such objection could be admitted. The statute requires the will to be proved in our courts, and letters of administration to be taken in this state, before the executor can lawfully act. Bonds also are required to be given, as an indispensable prerequisite. But this provision is nugatory, unless an account can be required, and an account is useless, unless the surplus or balance can legally be disposed of. The truth is, that the whole subject is not only within the jurisdiction of our courts, but it is within their exclusive control,' until the final decree is made. When that decree comes to be made, it may be a serious question, whether this court will proceed to make a distribution among those entitled ■ under the will, or will decree the am'ount, in the hands of the appellant, to be transferred to New Hampshire, for distribution there. And it is here, and here only, that the doctrine of ancillary administration has any application. But whether the decree be made in one form or the other, it not only appertains to the jurisdiction of this court to adjust the account, but such a proceeding seems a necessary prerequisite to a decree in either shape. It is insisted that we are bound to order the fund paid over to the administrator in New Hampshire, and cannot legally order a distribution. This, we conceive, is a mistake. The rules on this subject are discretionary and not imperative. There is no power in the courts of that state, to arrest our proceedings. They cannot be removed thither by certiorari, nor can those courts operate upon us, by writ of mandamus or prohibition. The rules relied on by the appellant are rules of comity and convenience merely. They are not submitted to by courts from necessity, but are adopted'by them as salutary and expedient, and are applied whenever their operation is such, but not where they would embarrass or defeat the administration of justice. The whole system, suggested by the supreme court of Massachusetts, in the case of Dawes vs. Head, cited by the counsel, is of this character. However admirably it may be adapted to the liberality of modern times, and to the purpose of facilitating and promoting justice, where concert of action is necessary between ^16 courts of distinct sovereignties, it rests upon courtesy and expediency alone. It is placed upon this footing by the learned c^'ef justice of that state, who delivered the opinion. After sPe£>king of the remission of effects to a foreign jurisdiction for distribution, he says, “ If any part is to be retained for distribution here, it will be only by virtue of some exception to this general rule, or because the parties seelc their remedy here; in which case, it might be within the legal discretion of the court here, to cause distribution or to remit; according to the circumstances and condition of the estate.” The same doctrine was held by judge Story, in the case oí Harvey vs. Richards, 1 Mason, 408. The defence in that case was similar to that here relied on; and the same argument was urged against the exercise of the authority of the court, viz: “ That as national comity requires the distribution of the property according to the law of the domicil, the same comity requires that the distribution should be made in the same place.” The learned judge comes to this conclusion, “ that whether the court here ought to decree distribution, or remit the property abroad, is a matter, not of jurisdiction, but of judicial discretion, depending upon the particular circumstances of each case“ that there ought to be no universal rule on the subject; but that every nation is bound to lend the aid of its own tribunals, for the purpose of enforcing the rights of all persons, having title to the fund, when such interference will not be productive of injustice or inconvenience, or conflicting equities.”

The case of Richards vs. Dutch, relied on by the appellant, proves nothing inconsistent with what has been said. The court there lay down the general rule, that “ legatees must resort to the country of the testator where the will was originally proved, and by the laws of which the effects are to be distributed,” &c. There were no special circumstances in that case, requiring a departure from the general rule, nor were the court called upon to express any opinion, as to the effect of such circumstances. It is further to be observed, that the defendant rested specifically upon a claim for a legacy, and the case was the same as if he had sued for it. There was then an obvious impropriety, in allowing the legacy, before the solvency of the estate had been ascertained. Had the proceeding been in the probate court, and its object simply to call the administrator to account, and ascertain the amount of effects in his hands, the question would have been very different. Indeed the late judge Jackson,jof counsel for the plaintiff, argued as an objeetion to the allowance of the legacy, that it belonged to the probate court to have an account, that the amount of assets might be ascertained, and that it might appear whether there were assets, remaining after payment of the debts, for the purpose of the legacy. In Dawes vs. Boylston, the suit, although nominally in favor of the probate judge, was, in reality, in behalf of a legatee, and was so treated by the court. The remarks already made upon Richards vs. Dutch, will serve to explain this case. The court, in this case, recognize the power of the probate judge to enforce a bond of administration, for the purpose of procuring an inventory or account of assets, for the use and benefit of whoever may be concerned. See also 4 Mass. Rep. 318. The two cases of Jennison vs. Hapgood, one in this state, (2 Vt. Rep. 244) the other in Massachusetts, (10 Pick. 77) are authority in favor of the doctrine here advanced. In the former, the jurisdiction in question was assumed by this court; and in the latter, that jurisdiction was in terms conceded to us. — In support of our opinion, we might cite further the opinion of judge Story, who says, (Con. of Laws, 421) “ In regard to the title of executors and administrators, derived from a grant of administration, in the country of the domicil of the deceased, it is to be considered, that the title cannot, de jure, extend beyond the territory of the government which grants it. As to such property, situate in foreign countries, the title, if acknowledged at all, is acknowledged ex comitate; and, of course, is subject to be controlled or modified, as every nation may think proper, with reference to its own institutions and policy, and the rights of its subjects. And again, on page 423, speaking of an ancillary administration, he says, “ Still, however, the new administration is made subservient to the rights of creditors, legatees, and distributees, resident within the country, and the residuum is transmissible to the foreign country, only when the final account is settled, in the proper domestic tribunalsI have been thus particular, because on opening this case, doubts were entertained by some of the court as to the power of the court to make any other decree, than simply to refer the subject of final distribution to the courts of New Hampshire.

On the whole, we are of opinion, that the right of granting administration, as to the estate of the testator within this state, was vested exclusively in the courts of this state. That this power necessarily includes that of calling the administrator to account — of adjusting the account — ascertaining; the amount of assets in the administrator’s hands, of decreeing the final dispo-s^on same, and of enforcing that decree, by means of the administration bond. In respect to the bond, it would seem from the case of Pickering vs. Fisk, ante. p. that it could be enforced only in this state; and it could not be enforced here, without a decree disposing of the assets. In making that decree, it rests in the judicial discretion of this court, to order the fund transmitted to New Hampshire, for' distribution there, or to decree a distribution here. In the exercise of this discretion, we are to have regard to the exigences^ the case; and, although the'gen eral practice may be, to remit the fund for the distribution abroad, still this will'never be done, under circumstances, where, instead of facilitating a filial adjustment, and securing the rights of all, it would tend to embarrass or prevent that adjustment, and jeopardize the rights of the parties.

What then do the circumstances of this case require ?

It is suggested, that the security, given by the appellant to the court in New Hampshire, is not sufficient in amount, to cover all the effects received in both states. As the appellant is the administrator in both states, a decree made here, that he pay over to the administrator in New Hampshire, would only serve to change the capacity in which the appellant is responsible, and probably release the security taken by the probate court in this state. No actual payment would be necessary, but only a transfer in the account, which the law would make ipso facto', upon such a decree. If the security taken abroad is not sufficient, and that taken here is released, the decree might prove fatal to the interest of those for whose benefit it is intended. If the security would not be released, still, if it become necessary to enforce it, the heirs or legatees, whoever has the interest, must be' recognized by our courts as prosecutors; in which event, they must appear as claiming in the capacity of volunteers, and subject themselves to the objection already urged. Besides, it is by no means clear, that a decree of distribution made there, could be regarded as coming within the purview of the bond taken here, or that any suit could be sustained upon that bond, for a non-compliance with such decree. The bail in that' state might be responsible, yet, supposing the appellant insolvent, and the effects already wasted, it certainly admits of doubt, whether it is competent for us thus to transfer the responsibility for an antecedent default. Were it competent, the propriety and justice of such a procedure, are extremely questionable. Upon the whole, we are disposed to refer the distribution to the courts of New Hampshire, so far as it can be done consistently with the security of the rights of those concerned. Our decree is, in substance, that the report of the commissioner is accepted, and the balance therein stated is found to be assets in the hands of the appellant, subject to distribution' — that the adjustment be reported-tp. the proper tribunal in New Hampshire, and that the amount be paid to such persons, and in such proportions, as shall be found entitled to it, by decree of ttfkcourt of that state, in which the will was originally proved^BI letters testamentary were granted; and, in default on such payment, the parties concerned are left to their remedy on the administration bond.

Decree accordingly.