In re Appeal of Oman

222 P. 111, 115 Kan. 232, 1924 Kan. LEXIS 236

• Court: Supreme Court of Kansas
• Decided: January 12, 1924
• Docket: No. 25,432
• Status: Published

Opinions

The opinion of the court was delivered by

Johnston, C. J.:

This is an appeal from a decision of the district court disallowing a claim for a soldier’s compensation, who died since his discharge from military service. It was brought by Ralph W. Oman,-who had been appointed as administrator of the estate of the deceased soldier. Walton W. Gilmore, a resident of Kansas, entered military service on August 5,1917, and remained in the service until May 3, 1919. Under the veterans’ compensation law and for the time he was in the service, compensation was due to someone, in the amount of $637. Before compensation had been authorized by referendum or enactment and on June 18, 1919, he was accidentally killed by the overturning of a tractor. A claim against his estate for burial expenses was assumed by a sister of his, and hence an administrator was appointed to administer upon his estate, and as such administrator he claimed the compensation due to the deceased soldier, but it was disallowed. Gilmore was a married man, and his widow and sole heir, Elizabeth K. Gilmore, made application for the compensation due to her deceased husband and the county compensation board recommended the payment of the compensation to her; and later on August 5, 1923, the state board determined that the widow was entitled to the compensation. The administrator claiming the fund appealed from this ruling to the district court and that tribunal entered a judgment of disallowance.

On the appeal to this court the question submitted for determination is, should compensation due the deceased veterans be regarded as a part of his estate and subject to the payment of his debts or is it exempt property payable to his widow or other proper claimant? There is no dispute as to the facts involved. The case turns upon the law applicable to them. The statute relating to the disposition of the property of a deceased person and the duties of executors and administrators in respect thereto provides that the executor or administrator shall take possession of all personal and real property of the deceased which are by law to be administered, and render an account thereof when required by the court or the law. (R. S. 22-303.) Is the compensation which is now due for the service rendered by the soldier but which had not been provided for when the soldier died, something “which is by law to be administered,” that is, administered according to the general statute provided for the control and disposition of decedent’s estates?

The act relating to compensation for veterans of the world war provides that:

“Claims for compensation under the act entitled ‘An Act relating to compensation for veterans of the world war,’ either before or after the allowance or approval of said claim, shall not be the subject of assignment, transfer, or power of attorney, nor subject to attachment, garnishment, or execution, except by an order of a court of competent jurisdiction for the support of the wife or children of the claimant.” (Laws 1923, ch. 210.)

At the special session of 1923, the legislature amended the fore-' going section adding:

“And where the soldier has failed or neglected to file his application therefor, the wife may file for the same, and where so ordered by said court or judge thereof, the clerk of said court shall issue an order thereof directed to the director of said compensation board to pay into said court or to the clerk thereof, for the use and benefit of said widow and minor children, if any, such sum as the court or judge thereof may direct,” etc. (Laws 1923, Special Session, ch. 7, § 1.)

In section two of the act last cited it is provided that where the soldier and his deserted wife or children are nonresidents of Kansas, the wife may bring a suit against the compensation board and the soldier, and the court may hear and determine the question as to the rights of the deserted wife or deserted children to such soldier’s compensation. It is provided that the county boards of compensa-’ tion shall consider all claims presented, and as to those who die before compensation’is paid, it is provided:

“If the claim is based upon the service of one who died before receiving compensation the finding shall show the capacity of the claimant and a complete list of the names, ages, residence, address of the widow and children, if any, and the father and mother, if surviving.” (Laws 1923, ch. 204, §4, [/].)

From these provisions it appears that the legislature intended the compensation granted should be exempt. It expressly provides that .the compensation cannot be reached by creditors or the representatives of creditors by any of the processes of law. It is subject to the order of the court only that it may be directed to be paid for the support of the soldier’s wife and children. The creditor of a soldier therefore cannot look to nor enforce his claim by the appropriation of the compensation. The same exemption is carried over to the wife or widow and children by the exception that the court may order its payment for their support. The provision excludes the idea that it may be claimed by and paid to creditors or to an administrator who represents them. It was a humane and beneficial provision which should be liberally interpreted in furtherance of the benevolent and humane purpose for which it was enacted. All the provisions quoted point in the same direction and manifest the intention that it shall not be subject to administration under the law relating to decedent’s estates. For instance in case a soldier fails’ or neglects to apply for compensation, it is provided that it may be paid to the wife or widow and children. If he has deserted her she may sue for and recover it for herself and children. In order that it may go to the rightful person, the county board is required among other things to find the names, residence, and address of the widow and children, if any, or the father and mother if living. There is no suggestion in any of the statutory provisions that compensation may be applied for or paid to executors or administrators or creditors. Much has been said as to the rule made by the compensation board in pursuance of chapter 200 of the Laws of 1923, which authorizes the board to make and establish rules and regulations for the proof and method of the payment of claims under the act. In the rule made in respect to proof and payment of claims, the board among other things provided that: “In all such cases no administration is necessary to be had and no application by an administrator of any estate will be recognized.” Of course the board may not amend the statute or enforce a rule which does not conform with it. (The State, ex rel., v. Davis, 114 Kan. 270, 217 Pac. 905.)

It appears, however, that the board has correctly interpreted the act governing the application for and payment of compensation and the rule made is in conformity with the statute and in harmony with its true intent. The whole tenor of the legislation on the subject is that the compensation is exempt to the soldier, and in case of his death before payment, it is equally exempt to his wife or widow and children, if he has any. It is therefore plain that the legislature intended to take compensation out of the operation of the law relating to the decedent’s estate, and it must be held that the wife rightfully claimed the compensation of her deceased husband and that the trial court correctly decided that it was not assets of the estate of the deceased, subject to administration under the law of decedents’ estates.

Judgment affirmed.