Rabold v. Roberts

444 S.W.2d 536, 1969 Ky. LEXIS 210
CourtCourt of Appeals of Kentucky
DecidedMarch 7, 1969
StatusPublished
Cited by1 cases

This text of 444 S.W.2d 536 (Rabold v. Roberts) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Appeals of Kentucky primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Rabold v. Roberts, 444 S.W.2d 536, 1969 Ky. LEXIS 210 (Ky. Ct. App. 1969).

Opinion

STEPHEN COMBS, Jr., Special Commissioner.

This is an appeal from a judgment in favor of appellee against appellant in the sum of $3,684.40 with interest and costs. The parties to this action are suing in a dual capacity as administratrix and executor, and hereafter for brevity and convenience we will refer to the parties by their Christian names.

The questions presented by appellant Dora are as follows: (1) Was it lawful for Dora, while acting as administratrix, to distribute to herself as one of the two only heirs at law the aggregate sum of $3,199.40 as her one-half distributable share of the estate of her father? (2) Was it legal for Dora to pay herself $300 for extraordinary services rendered to her father prior to his death and to the estate after his death? And, (3) did the court err in refusing to permit Dora, after judgment, to file proof of her claim for extraordinary services? All of these questions were resolved adversely to Dora in the trial court.

The case was submitted to the trial judge upon stipulation of the parties filed and made a part of the record. Briefly stated as appears from the stipulation, the facts are as follows:

Lemuel P. Roberts died August 3, 1964, leaving as his only surviving heirs at law two children, Dora Mae Rabold and Walter Lee Roberts. His will could not be found immediately following his death, and on August 21, 1964, with the consent of Walter, Dora was appointed administra-trix. The estate consisted of real estate located at 820 South Second Street, Louisville, and personalty of the gross value of $9,553. A few days before his death, Lemuel P. Roberts divided between his two children $30,000 in building and loan institution funds. On September 1, 1964, Dora distributed to herself as an heir the sum of $2,362.34 as shown by check. On the same day, she was notified that a will of her father had been discovered. On September [538]*5384, 1964, the discovered will, dated January 3, 1958, was offered for probate. Dora objected to its probate, and the matter was passed to September 17, 1964. On this occasion and while in the courtroom, Dora handed Walter a check for $2,362.34. A second will was found dated November 10, 1958, and presented for prefíjate September 17, 1964. Dora’s counsel moved the court to pass the matter until September 24, upon which date the second will was admitted to probate as the last will of Lemuel P. Roberts. The probated will designated Walter as the executor and trustee under the will, and he thereupon qualified as such. The probated will devised the real estate to Walter and the remainder of the estate, consisting principally of personalty, to the two children in equal proportions.

On September 18, 1964, Dora, in her capacity as administratrix, made final distribution to herself in the amount oí $837.06, which was one-half of the remaining personalty in her hands. She did not tender to appellee at this time a check in a like amount. On September 30, 1964, an order was entered in the county court releasing Dora as administratrix, but requiring her to file a settlement showing her acts during the period she was administratrix. At that time the inheritance taxes had not been paid or computed.

On September 2, 1964, Dora paid herslf $300 for extraordinary services rendered decedent at his 820 South Second Street residence and for extraordinary services rendered the estate after the death of her father. On September 18, 1964, she also issued to herself a check in the sum of $238.33 for her commission on the money received and distributed by her as adminis-tratrix.

On October 1, 1964, Dora appealed to the Jefferson Circuit Court from the order probating the will dated November 10, 1958. In June 1966, a jury in the Jefferson Circuit Court upheld the probate of the will. Walter filed written objections in the county court to Dora’s final accounting as administratrix, particularly objecting to allowance of the $300 paid to appellant for extraordinary services, $185 for advanced fees to the commissioner and court reporter, and $3,199.40 for her distributable share. The matter was referred to a commissioner of the Jefferson County Court who heard testimony and made his findings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommendations, which were made a part of the record in the case. The commissioner recommended approval of the payment of the $238.33 for commission but disapproval of the other items. An appeal was taken to the Jefferson Circuit Court which approved the judgment of the county court, which had approved the commissioner’s report.

Dora urges that the circuit court erred in requiring her to pay over to the executor under the will sums previously distributed to her while acting as administratrix. In support of this argument, she relies on Ellwanger v. Ellwanger’s Adm’r, 278 Ky. 584, 129 S.W.2d 127, and the cases cited therein. These cases support the contention that the appointment of Dora was voidable and not void. We agree that her appointment as administratrix was voidable, not void.

The question remains as to whether Dora’s hasty acts in making distribution were lawful and should remain valid and effectual. Reliance is had on KRS 395.330 which provides:

“Where an order of administration is set aside or letters of administration revoked, or where any executor or administrator is removed, or the will under which he acted is declared invalid, all previous sales of personal estate made lawfully by the executor or administrator and with good faith on the part of the purchaser and all other lawful acts done by the executor or administrator, shall remain valid and effectual.”

The acts of Dora in making distribution at the time shown were in plain violation of three statutes: KRS 395.190, 396.010, and 386.180. Therefore, any dis[539]*539tribution to her was unlawful. The statute says that lawful acts shall remain valid and effectual.

Dora further argues, citing Preston v. Second National Bank of Paintsville, 250 Ky. 673, 63 S.W.2d 774, that the burden of proof in the circuit court is upon the one who attacks the county-court settlement. This rule is sound. However, the contested items in Dora’s proposed final settlement were disallowed by the county court, and exceptions were filed by Dora to the order disallowing her claims. On appeal to the circuit court, a judgment was entered approving the county-court’s judgment. An appeal taken from the county court to the circuit court is tried de novo. KRS 25.070 and CR 72.03. The burden of proof was upon Dora. The Preston case was a direct attack in the circuit court on a settlement made and approved in the county court — not an appeal as in the instant case.

KRS 395.190 provides: “A personal representative may distribute the estate of a decedent six months after qualification.” This statute was construed in Coffee v. Owens’ Adm’r, 216 Ky. 142, 287 S.W. 540, where it was said:

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Bluebook (online)
444 S.W.2d 536, 1969 Ky. LEXIS 210, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/rabold-v-roberts-kyctapp-1969.