Succession of Moise

107 La. 717
CourtSupreme Court of Louisiana
DecidedNovember 15, 1901
DocketNo. 13,890
StatusPublished
Cited by7 cases

This text of 107 La. 717 (Succession of Moise) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Supreme Court of Louisiana primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Succession of Moise, 107 La. 717 (La. 1901).

Opinions

Breaux, J.

This is 'an appeal from a judgment homologating a final account of the administration of the Succession of E. Evariste Moise.

The assets of the succession, as shown by this account, amount to six thousand seven hundred and thirty-two and 66-100 dollars ($6,732.66), while on the other hand the debts secured by, privileges [719]*719and the debts secured by mortgage amount to four thousand four hundred and fifty-three and 72:100 dollars ($4,453.72), leaving a remainder of two thousand two hundred and seventy-eight and 94-100 dollars ($2,278.94). ito be divided among the ordinary creditors of his succession.

Oppositions were filed to this account and they were all passed upon by the learned judge of the District Court, who rendered judgment homologating the account, and afterward reopened the case, and on second trial rendered judgment from which the present appeal is taken.

The first question which is before us for decision grows out of the opposition filed to counsel’s fee of two hundred and fifty dollars ($250.00) for writing a. brief and arguing before us the case of W. G. Taylor vs. E. E. Moise, 52 Ann. 2016.- On the first trial the district judge allowed the amount without privilege; on the second trial he reduced the amount to one hundred dollars ($100.00), secured by privilege. The services were rendered in the case before cited after the death of the defendant. No one can reasonably question the right of the administratrix to employ counsel and defend an important suit against the succession she, as administratrix, is called upon to protect and defend by every reasonable method within her control. She was unable to defend interests of ithe succession in court without the services of an attorney. The employment gave rise to a succession debt and as such was entitled to preference. This was the view of this court in a leading case upon the subject. It has always been followed since. Friend vs. Graham, 10 La. 439, as will be seen by reference ito Succession of Wells, 24 Ann. 163; Succession of P. O. Lauve, 18 Ann. 723; Succession of Whitehead, 3 Ann. 396.

It being settled that the debt is one which is entitled to preference as to its payment, it only remains for us to determine whether or not the fee allowed by the District Court should be increased. The learned judge of the District Oourt, before whom the case cited, supra, was tried, said, in substance, that the case was defended by Mr. Forman with his usual ability and energy, and thought that his services rendered before his court were worth two hundred and fifty dollars ($250.00). Taking this amount as a basis, the administratrix before the court contends' that the services on appeal were worth an amount, at least, equal to that it is evident they were worth in the District Oourt. We are not inclined to that view. Usually less is charged as a [720]*720fee on appeal than for services in the District Court up to and including all duties performed in obtaining judgment. We agree with our learned brother regarding the zeal and ability of counsel, at the same time, for services here we think that one hundred and fifty dollars is a sufficient fee.

The amount of the fee is frequently made to depend upon the certainty of payment. Keeping this into account, we conclude to increase the amount to one hundred and fifty dollars.

The administratrix, through her counsel, says that item 26 of the account, six dollars and forty-two cents ($6.42), an amount claimed was admitted in open court, and that the notary is entitled to a privilege. We are referred to page — ■ of' the record showing admissions made as follows: “The item of W. R. Ker, notary, for services, $6.42, is admitted.” The account had been homologated so far as not opposed, admitting this claim as due. It is secured by privilege. All parties to the suit admitted that it was a correct claim.

The next items opposed are items 29, 30, 31, 32, 36, 37, 38, 39, 10 of 'the account. On appeal the administratrix urges that there was error in amending -her account by'judgment, transferring these claims from privileged to ordinary. She urges that if the English word “provisions” is to have the same meaning as that word in French, viz: means of subsistence, then they are privileged. The item 31 is for a diary; item 30 for dry goods and clothing, and item 32 for shoes, underwear, and men’s furnishing goods; item 39 for clothing; item 40 for dry goods; item 29 for excavating; item 37 for plumbing; item 38 for clothing; item 36 for hardware; they do not fall within the term provision as used in the Code.

The court said: “In the interpretation of the Article 3175 C. C. reference must be made to Article No. 5. Its language is “supplies of provisions made to the debtor or his family during the last six months by retail dealers, such as bakers, butchers and' grocers.” Cook vs. Doyle, 6 Ann. 276. This view of the court is controlling and excludes the definition of the word as found in French lexicography. The word provision is defined “A supply of food, that on which one subsists.” Standard Dictionary. Subsists means to provide with subsistanee that which supports life, or food.” None of these items fall within the definition just stated.

Another of the creditors of the succession presented an opposition [721]*721in which he claimed 'four different amounts. One of the amounts is represented by a promissory note carried on the account as due to one of the local banks. Opponent produces receipt of payment of a judgment, interest, and costs evidently obtained against the succession, for the receipt shows that the one paying the note was subrogated against all the “rights, actions, and 'mortgages against the late E. E. Moise and his succession arising from the note sued on in said above entitled cause.” This receipt admitted in evidence without objection was prima fade proof of the amount claimed. No attempt was. made in any manner to show that it was not the correct amount- due. Another item of the claim of this opponent was for obligation of a personal' character growing out of kindly offices shown by the opponent to the late E. E. Moise. It has nothing about it suggestive of business and, therefore, did not fall within the definition of an account or claim with the view to the least business transaction. We have not found that the district judge erred in allowing this claim after the deduction made by him- Being a personal obligation it was not barred by the prescription of three years pleaded.

The Merchants and Traders Insurance Co., in its answer to the appeal, asks that the judgment of the District Court be so amended aa to allow it judgment for the sum of six hundred and thirty-three and 81-100 dollars. The account of the administratrix mentions this company as a privileged creditor in the sum of seventy-seven dollars ($77.00) and as an ordinary creditor in the sum of five hundred and sixty-eight -dollars ($568.00.) In the account the seventy-seven dollars ($77.00) is deducted from the ordinary debt, leaving four hundred and ninety-one and 56-100 dollars ($491.56.) This opponent wishes to be recognized as a privileged creditor for seventy-seven dollars ($77.00) and as an ordinary creditor for five hundred and fifty-six. and 81-100 dollars, and to that end presented an amended petition claiming an increase to the sum of six hundred and thirty-three and 81-100 dollars ($633.81.)

In the original opposition, no objection was urged against the amount carried on the account in its favor.

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Bluebook (online)
107 La. 717, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/succession-of-moise-la-1901.