Sheldrake Estate

207 A.2d 802, 416 Pa. 551, 1965 Pa. LEXIS 717

• Court: Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
• Decided: March 16, 1965
• Docket: Appeal, 41
• Status: Published

Opinions

Opinion by

Mr. Chief Justice Bell,

Charles K. Sheldrake died testate November 8, 1959, possessed of an estate of over a million dollars. His will, dated August 14, 1959, was probated November 17, 1959. Testator created a trust which provided, inter alia, for a specific percentage of the net income to be paid to his widow, a specific percentage to his son and a specific percentage to his brother. Sheldrake’s widow elected to take against the will, thereby raising the question of who should receive the share of the trust income which had been willed to her.

Although the decedent died in November, 1959, no account had been filed by the executors prior to January 16, 1963.

*

On January 16, 1963, the executors filed a petition for a declaratory judgment asking the Court to decide the percentage of income which was payable to decedent’s son and the percentage which was payable to decedent’s brother. An answer was filed and the parties entered into a stipulation of facts. After a hearing, Judge van Roden filed on July 6, 1964, an Opinion and a Decree dated July 2, 1964, resolving these questions of income distribution. From this (so-called) Decree an appeal was taken by decedent’s brother.

There was no justification for a declaratory judgment proceeding and the Decree must be vacated.

In Mohney Estate, 416 Pa. 107, 204 A. 2d 916, the Court said (pages 109-110) : “Why declaratory proceedings were brought instead of the customary and appropriate way of filing an account and presenting the questions at the audit of decedent’s account, was not disclosed. . . .

“(1) While the grant of a petition for a declaratory judgment is a matter of sound judicial discretion:

“ ‘This Court now adheres to the view that declaratory judgment proceedings must not be entertained if there exists another available and appropriate remedy, whether statutory or not: McWilliams v. McCabe, 406 Pa. 644, 179 A. 2d 222; State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co. v. Semple, 407 Pa. 572, 180 A. 2d 925.’ Lakeland Joint School District Authority v. Scott Township School District, 414 Pa. 451, 200 A. 2d 748.

“In State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co. v. Semple, 407 Pa., supra, the Court said (pages 574-575) : ‘The principles to guide the lower courts in determining whether or not a declaratory judgment proceeding should be entertained was recently clarified by this Court in McWilliams v. McCabe, 406 Pa. 644, 179 A. 2d 222 (1962). Therein we declared, inter alia, (1) that a declaratory judgment proceeding is not an optional substitute for established and available remedies; (2) that it should not be granted where a more appropriate remedy is available;* (3) that it should not be granted unless compelling and unusual circumstances exist; (4) that it should not be granted where there is a dispute of facts, or such controversy may arise; and (5) that it should not be granted unless there is a clear manifestation that the declaration sought will be a practical help in terminating the controversy.’ ”

To allow a declaratory judgment proceeding in such a case where a long established and adequate remedy is not only available but also more appropriate would create doubt, uncertainty and possible confusion in Orphans’ Court proceedings and is without any justification.

Decree vacated and petition dismissed without prejudice to present these questions at an audit of the Executors’ account; each party to pay own costs.

The executors filed an account in November, 1963.

Italics, ours.