Stancil v. Kenan

Walker, J. George W. Stancil, the nominated executor propounded for proof, in solemn form, a paper purporting to be the last will and testament of Owen II. Kenan, deceased, gave proper notice to the heirs at law, and several of them appeared, Michael J. Kenan being one, and filed their caveat. Pending the litigation, Michael J. Kenan died, leaving his estate, so far as appeared to the Court, unrepresented. Propounder appeared in Court and insisted on his right to prove the will as against the surviving heirs at law, Uriah T. [103] Kenan and the other caveators. The Court refused to permit the case to proceed until the estate of Michael J. Kenan should be represented ; and this is the decision complained of. [1.] In Potts vs. House, 6, Ga. Rep. 334, this Court decided that the propounder of a will holds the affirmative of the issue of devisavit vel non, and is, therefore, the plaintiff in the proceeding. In effect, it is a suit by the executor against the heirs at law to divest their title as heirs at law to the entire property of the deceased. The heirs at law are all interested in the proceeding, and all of them may make themselves parties and resist this action of the executor. In this case, several of the heirs at law did resist, and the case then became one in favor of the executor against all the caveators. [2.] Upon the death of one of these defendants, what are the plaintiff’s rights as to the trial of the issue ? He may sue out soire facias to make the representative of the deceased a party in the cause. Code, Sec. 3355. But is he compelled to do so before he can proceed with his case? "We think not, for the reason, that section 3377 says that in all cases against two or more defendants, one or more of whom shall have died pending said case or cases, the plaintiff may suggest said death of record and proceed to trial against the survivors to the extent of their respective liabilities. This right was denied the plaintiff, and we think the Court thereby committed error. See Henderson vs. Hackney et. al., 13, Ga. R. 282. Of course the plaintiff will proceed at his peril. Ho judgment can bind Michael J. Kenan’s unrepresented estate. His personal representative may hereafter come in and be heard in behalf of his rights; but this is no reason why the plaintiff may not proceed with his case against the surviving caveators, and conclude them, and all others notified and not objecting, by a judgment upon the issues joined as to the validity of the will. Judgment reversed.