Bull v. Kendrick

The Surrogate. The proponent of an instrument lately offered for probate, as this decedent’s will, prays that a commission be issued for the examination, upon written interrogatories, of its subscribing witnesses, who reside in the state of Illinois. The objectors to [331] the probate of the paper propounded have appeared upon this motion, and asked that, in case of the issuance of a commission, they be granted the opportunity for oral cross-examination of the witnesses. The discretionary authority to permit such a course is conferred upon certain courts of record by § 893 of the Code of Civil Procedure, and the provisions of that section are made applicable to the Surrogate’s court by § 2538. It is provided, however, by § 895, that this authority shall not be exercised when “ the adverse party is an infant.” Now, in this proceeding for probate, four infants have been made parties. Must they be regarded as parties “ adverse ” to the applicants for oral cross-examination of the witnesses to be examined under a commission ? The alleged will contains this provision: “ I give and bequeath to the children of my deceased brother Edward the sum of $1,000 in equal shares per stirpes.” The infants, whose rights are here under consideration, are Edward Bull’s grandchildren. Edward left two children him surviving, both of whom are still alive. Now, whether the grandchildren will be entitled to share in the ’above quoted bequest, in case the propounded paper shall be admitted to probate, is a question that will not be here determined. They have certainly such an appearance of interest as entitles them to be made parties to the controversy. On the other hand, they have no possible interest in common with the contestants. The decedent left a brother and two sisters him surviving, and, as has been stated already, two children of his deceased brother, Edward, are yet alive. - [332] The infants are, therefore, not decedent’s next of kin, and, in case his intestacy shall be established, will have no interest in his personal estate (R. S., part 2, ch. 6, tit. 3, § 75 ; 3 Banks, 7th ed., 2304 ; Doughty v. Stillwell, 1 Bradf., 300; Adee v. Campbell, 97 N. Y., 52). He owned no real property within the State of New York, and it does not appear that the rights of the infants, who, as his heirs at law, may be entitled in case of his intestacy to real property, situated without the State, can be in anywise affected by the result of this proceeding for probate. It is unnecessary, therefore, to consider the interest of the infants except as regards personalty. I think that they are “adverse parties” within § 895. The contestant’s application must, therefore, be denied, and that of the proponent granted. The following opinion was filed, in the same matter, February 23rd, 1886: The Surrogate. The domicil of this decedent, at the time of his death, was in the state of Illinois. In my memorandum of February 1st, 1886, denying the application of these contestants for the issuance of an open commission to examine the witnesses whose testimony the proponents seek to obtain, it was assumed that the law of Illinois regarding the distribution of an intestate’s personal estate did not differ from the law of New York. I accordingly held that, as the infants who would benefit by the admission to probate of the paper propounded as this decedent’s will, would be excluded [333] from sharing in his estate in case probate should be denied, they are “adverse parties” to the contestants, and that, by § 895 of the Code of Civil Procedure, I was precluded from issuing an open commission. It appears, from the proof submitted upon re-argument, that the infants in question Will, in case the decedent shall be found to have died intestate, be entitled to a distributive share of the estate which will exceed the amount to which they will be entitled if the will is upheld. Under these circumstances, I think that an open commission may properly be granted. An order may be entered accordingly.