McGehee v. . McGehee

Stacy, C. J. At the close of the evidence, on the trial of this cause, had at the December Term, 1924, it was agreed between counsel for plaintiff and defendants that the only question then for decision was whether or not the principle of equitable compensation, as sometimes engrafted on the primary doctrine of election, was applicable to the facts of the instant case. The trial .court was of the opinion that it was and rendered judgment accordingly. This was reversed on plaintiff’s appeal, but without any direction as to what judgment should be entered. McGehee v. McGehee, 189 N. C., 558. Hence, when the ease was called again at the August Term, 1925, it stood for trial on the issues of fact raised by the pleadings, just as if no former trial had taken place, the law, of course, as announced by this Court in its opinion, to be applied in the case. McMillan v. Baker, 92 N. C., 111; Ashby v. Page, 108 N. C., 6; Jones v. Swepson, 94 N. C., 700. The agreement of counsel on the original hearing did not go to the extent and scope of the judgment to be entered, and this was not considered by us on the first appeal. His Honor, therefore, erred in rendering what amounted to a judgment on the pleadings, without disposing of the issuable questions of fact raised thereby and which relate to the extent and scope of the judgment to be entered. Besides, the judgment awarded was such as a creditor would be entitled to demand (Johnson v. Powers, 139 U. S., 156), while the plaintiff is claiming as a legatee under the will. University v. Borden, 132 N. C., 477. It may be well to note that an executor, appointed in this jurisdiction, is charged with the duty of administering the estate rightfully *478 coming into bis possession here, according to tbe provisions of tbe will as interpreted by tbe courts of tbis State. Stacy v. Thrasher, 6 How., 44. An executor is one named by tbe testator and appointed to carry tbe will into effect after tbe death of tbe maker, and to dispose of tbe estate according to its tenor. Kellogg v. White, 169 N. Y. S., 989; Shufeldt v. Hughes, 104 Pac. (Wash.), 253. Tbe plaintiff is entitled to take ber legacy under tbe will, “in lieu of ber dower rights,” and it is tbe duty of tbe executor to pay it, or apply to its payment such funds as may come into bis bands available for that purpose, and to render an accounting of bis executorship. Vaughn v. Northrup, 15 Pet., 1. Tbe method of procedure, including tbe proper form of judgment in such cases, was considered in York v. McCall, 160 N. C., 276, construing C. S., 147. See, also, C. S., 155 and 156. Let tbe cause be remanded, to tbe end that further proceedings may be bad as tbe law directs and tbe rights of tbe parties require. Error.