Majority
p. 514In re Taggart’s Estate. In re Wrigley. (Surrogate's Court, Orange County. September 11, 1891.)
Headnote
1. Administration—When Granted—Disposition of Will.It having, on application for letters of administration by a creditor of deceased, been shown to the court by the next of kin of deceased that he left an instrument purporting to be his will, administration cannot be" granted until the question of the validity of the will is disposed of in an independent proceeding, though the next of kin declare their purpose not to offer it for probate.
2. Probate of Will.
A will cannot be probated in proceedings by a creditor for the appointment of an administrator.
Application by James "Wrigley for letters of administration of the estate of James Taggart, deceased. Application denied.
E. A. Brewster, for petitioner. W. D. Dickey, for next of kin.
Petitioner in this case applies for letters of administration as a creditor of the deceased, to which application the next of kin object, alleging that the deceased did not die intestate, and produce and file with their answer a document purporting to be the last will and testament of the deceased, and ask that these proceedings be dismissed. The petitioner, however, urges that the proceedings should not be dismissed until it is made to appear that a will has been admitted to probate, and that only an adjournment can be properly applied for by the next of kin to give them time in which to
p. 515
prove the will; and that, failing to so apply, and having stated in open court that they do not intend to offer the.will for probate, letters should now be granted as prayed for. After reflection, I conclude that, it having been shown to this court that the deceased left a document purporting to be a will, administration cannot be granted until the question of the validity of the will has been disposed of, notwithstanding the declared purpose not to offer it for probate; that no obligation rests upon the next of kin to bring the will to probate in order to avoid administration being taken upon the estate; that the will cannot properly be probated in these proceedings; and that the petitioner may, if he so desires, bring proceedings for the probate of the will, (section 2614, Code Civil Proc.;) and an adjournment, if it is desired, will be made of these proceedings for that purpose; otherwise these proceedings will be dismissed, with $25 costs and disbursements, to be taxed, to be paid to the petitioner from the estate by any executor or administrator hereafter appointed.