James v. Wilson

105 S.W.2d 541, 194 Ark. 11, 1937 Ark. LEXIS 300
CourtSupreme Court of Arkansas
DecidedMay 10, 1937
Docket4-4637
StatusPublished

This text of 105 S.W.2d 541 (James v. Wilson) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Supreme Court of Arkansas primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
James v. Wilson, 105 S.W.2d 541, 194 Ark. 11, 1937 Ark. LEXIS 300 (Ark. 1937).

Opinion

GeifbiN Smith, C. J.

The chancery court dismissed the petition of Wilma Ketcher James by which she sought to vacate an order confirming a report of commissioners appointed for the purpose of partitioning certain lands in Pulaski county, and to allot the homestead and dower interest of appellant as widow of M. J. Ketcher.

The surviving heirs of M. J. Ketcher were his mother, Annie Ketcher; a brother, Henry Ketcher; a sister, Rose Harrocl, and a nephew, William MoCallum, the latter being a minor.

M. J. Ketcher had operated a tin, metal, and roofing business. He had accumulated considerable property, alleged in the petition to be worth $88,15.1, exclusive of “going value.”

Soon after the death of M. J. Ketcher, Carrie E. Wilson, who for ten years had been his secretary, was appointed administratrix of the estate. This was done by agreement, and all of the heirs except the minor signed the bond. The record shows conclusively that, at the time Miss Wilson was appointed, it was hoped that the business might be continued, at least until its value, under changed conditions, could be determined.

The widow’s statutory allowances were not claimed or given, nor was quarantine assigned. In her petition she alleges that she was not advised of her legal rights in these respects.

As grounds for setting aside the order of confirmation, appellant alleges: (1) That fraud was practiced by “the other parties in the proceeding” in obtaining the order and decree; (2) that fraud was practiced upon the court bjr “the other parties” in that assets were concealed from the court and from petitioner; (3) that the commissioners did not, in fact, view and appraise the real and personal property; (4) that petitioner’s attorney was attorney for Carrie E. Wilson, individually, and Carrie E. Wilson as administratrix, and all other parties to the proceeding, and that “said attorney represented and was attorney for the heirs-at-law of M. J. Ketcher at all times prior to the filing of the partition proceedings;” (5) that the value of the real estate-was not disclosed to the court nor to the petitioner; (6) that the value of the personal property was not properly disclosed to the court; (7) that the fact that Carrie Wilson was operating the business of M. J. Ketcher and Company was not disclosed to the court, and (8) that homestead, and allowances provided by law, were not assigned to petitioner.

The prayer was that the cause be reopened; that commissioners be appointed to appraise the property, both real and personal; that Carrie E. Wilson be required to produce all books and records, together with inventories, etc.; that dower in assets of the estate, formerly concealed, be assigned to petitioner, and that dower in the real estate and personal property be assigned; that her homestead be selected and assigned, and that she be awarded allowances as provided by law.

Carrie E. Wilson was appointed administratrix on October 18, 1934. Five days later — on October 23 — ■ through her attorney, Tom F. Digby, she petitioned the probate conrt for authority to continue the business, and on the same day such authority was granted. Miss Wilson’s petition for appointment contained a statement that the personal property was worth $20,000. For three and a half months after her husband’s death, appellant was employed by the administratrix to collect rents and was paid $15 per week.

Probate court records do not show that any other proceedings were had prior to January 26, 1935, at which time appellant executed a document entitled “Agreement for Settlement of Interest in Estate.” Appellant says that this agreement was prepared by Mr. Digby. It recites a desire to obtain “a complete settlement of all my interest in said estate,” and continues: “Now, therefore, for and in consideration of the sum of one dollar, to me in hand paid by the (above mentioned) heirs, I do hereby agree to accept in full and complete settlement of all my interest in and to said estate, the following described property, real and personal.” A description of the real property, without evaluation, was set out; also, three real estate notes, aggregating $11,-515; Home Owners Loan Corporation bonds, $5,000; Arkansas Toll Bridge bonds, $2,000, and Liberty Loan bonds, $2,000. The total of these items of personal property is $20,515. To this was added an automobile and household effects, unevalued.

Another “Agreement for Settlement of Interest in Estate” contains a blank January, 1935, date. It lists four pieces of real property, without evaluation; three real estate notes aggregating, $10,735; HOLO bonds $3,000; State Highway bonds, $2,000; Liberty Loan bonds, $2,000, and cash, $2,000.

On January 29, 1935, Mr. Digby, as attorney for Wilma Ketcher, Harry H. Ketcher, and A. Gr. MoCallum, the latter acting as next friend of William MeCallum, minor, filed a petition in chancery court, praying that “all right, title, interest, including the dower and homestead interest, of plaintiff, Wilma Ketcher,- he assigned and partitioned nnto her in fee simple, and that commissioners he appointed to make said assignment.” Rose Harrod, Annie Ketcher, C. E. Wilson, and C. E. Wilson as administratrix, answered, denying that the property was susceptible of division in kind, but admitting that the interests of the parties were as alleged in the petition. It -was also admitted that the plaintiffs were entitled to the relief prayed for in the complaint. They specifically entered appearances and consented that the court grant the order allotting dower and partitioning the lands, in accordance with the best interests of the parties. The answer was signed by E. R. Parham as solicitor for Rose Harrod and Annie Ketcher.

Carrie E. Wilson answered, alleging her interest to be that of an administratrix. She submitted a list of the real estate, and an inventory of the personal property, and stated that debts owing and unpaid amounted to approximately $8,000; also, the inheritance tax, if any, due the state. The personal property listed amounted to $57,573. Nineteen parcels of real estate were described, without an estimate of values.

The same day the petition was filed, the chancellor found that Wilma Ketcher was endowed with one-half of the real property in fee, and one-half of all the personal property. Interests of the several parties were decreed, including a finding that the administratrix had no beneficial interest in the property, and commissioners were appointed, as requested in the petition.

The report of the commissioners was filed January 29, and contained the following: “We have examined the lands and are of the opinion and find that the same are so situated that they cannot be divided in kind among the owners thereof according to their respective interests therein without great prejudice to said owners, and we further find that it would be to the best interest of the estate and to the parties herein that the following lands be allotted to the said Wilma Ketcher # * * which said lands are less than one-half in value of all the lands of the said M. J. Ketcher, and that she be given the remainder of her interest in said total estate from the personal property thereof.” There was this recommendation: “And after the payment of debts of said estate, that the widow he given the following- described personal property, which is less than one-half in valne of the personal property of the estate: Note of S. 0.

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Bluebook (online)
105 S.W.2d 541, 194 Ark. 11, 1937 Ark. LEXIS 300, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/james-v-wilson-ark-1937.