Holloway v. Calvin

SOMERVILLE, J. [1, 2] It is well settled that when the caption of a complaint merely appends to the name of a party the word “executor” or “administrator,” omitting the explanatory connective “as,” and there is nothing else in the caption or the complaint to show that the party sues or is sued in his representative capacity, the word of representation is but descriptio personae, and the suit is by or against such party in his individual capacity only. Lucas v. Pittman, 94 Ala. 616, 10 South. 603; A. C. etc., Ry. Co. v. Heald, 178 Ala. 636, 59 South. 461. But where the allegations of the complaint indicate with reasonable certainty that a plaintiff sues, or a defendant is sued, in a representative capacity, though there be no express or specific averment thereof, this is sufficient to fix the character of the suit. Lucas v. Pittman, supra; K. C., etc., Ry. Co. v. Matthews, 142 Ala. 298, 39 South. 207. In the latter case the count in question alluded several times to plaintiff’s “intestate,” from which it was observed by McClellan, O. J., that the count “by its own terms shows in a way that the plaintiff is therein claiming damages in her representative capacity.” In the instant case, the complaint not only alleges that the claim is for work done for, and goods furnished to, “defendant’s intestate” at her request, but also that “the claim which is the foundation of each count of this complaint, verified as required by law, was filed in the probate court of Dallas county,” and that “more than 12 months have elapsed since the grant of letters of administration upon the estate of Mrs. Sarah L. Bland, deceased, to defendant.” We think that the complaint, in connection with its caption, shows unmistakably that the defendant is sued in her representative capacity, for a debt contracted by her intestate, and due to plaintiff from said, intestate’s estate. Defendant was not, as to this, entitled to the general affirmative charge. So far as the judgment is concerned, the minute entry shows that it was rendered against defendant, “as administratrix,” etc., so that no technical disadvantage can result to her by reason of any lack of precision in the complaint. [3, 4] The verified claim, as shown by the records of the probate court, was properly admitted in evidence. The statement of such a claim need not be as specific as a formal pleading, and need not detail the items of an account. It is sufficient if it informs the personal representative of the nature and amount of the liability it imposes, and distinguishes it with reasonable certainty from all similar claims. Floyd v. Clayton, 67 Ala. 265; Flinn v. Shackleford, 42 Ala. 202; Hallett v. Br. Bank, 12 Ala. 193. If the claim filed is of such a character, and is broad enough to cover the items sued for, there can be no question of a variance merely because the suit is for only a part of the claim that was originally filed. [5] There are other assignments of error, but they are not argued in such a way as to justify their consideration, and they must be treated as waived. Let the judgment be affirmed. Affirmed. ANDERSON, C. J., and McCLELLAN and THOMAS, JJ., concur.