Burrell v. Whiting

Williams, J. This is a petition filed in the Probate Court of Plymouth County by the administrator of the estate of Nellie T. Whiting for the determination under G. L. (Ter. Ed.) c. 197, § 2, as amended by St. 1933, c. 221, § 3, of the validity of a claim of Florence M. Hart against the estate for personal services rendered to the intestate. By agreement of the administrator and the claimant, the matter was referred to an auditor appointed by the judge, findings of fact to be final. In his report the auditor found that the claimant, a daughter of the deceased, rendered services to her mother of the value of $1,208; that there was no express contract as to payment for the services; but that the claimant expected to be paid and that the mother knew or ought to have known that the daughter expected to be paid. The report was confirmed and the judge entered a decree that “in accordance with the findings of said auditor” the claim is valid and that the estate owes the claimant $1,208. Ralph H. Whiting, an heir of the estate, having objected to the finding of the auditor on the grounds that there was “not sufficient evidence in law to support the . . . findings of fact” and that the auditor failed to insert in his sub [245] sidiary findings facts pertaining to the good health of the deceased, appealed from the decree. The evidence before the auditor was not reported and the appellant has not complied with the provisions of Rules 21 and 32 of the Probate Courts (1934) in reference to obtaining a summary thereof. The ultimate findings of the auditor, not being inconsistent with his subsidiary findings, require a decree in favor of the claimant in the sum of $1,208. Butler v. Butler, 225 Mass. 22. Tower v. Jenney, 279 Mass. 208. Macomber v. King, 288 Mass. 381. Although the point has not been argued, it appears that the judge had no authority to appoint an auditor in this case. Limited authority is given to the Probate Courts to appoint auditors by G. L. (Ter. Ed.) c. 221, § 57, which provides: “After any account of an . . . administrator . . . has beeii filed . . . the judge . . . may, before approving it, appoint one or more auditors to hear the parties, examine vouchers and evidence, and report upon the same to the court. The report shall be prima facie evidence upon such matters as are expressly referred to such auditors.” The present case is not a proceeding on an account. The original parties, however, did not object to the improper appointment and on the contrary expressly assented to it. The present appellant has not argued the point and must be considered to have waived it. As the court had jurisdiction of the parties and the subject matter of the litigation, the error is procedural and one which can be and has been waived by the parties. Kirby v. Donovan, 228 Mass. 86, 90. Paige v. Sinclair, 237 Mass. 482, 484. Sullivan v. Jordan, 310 Mass. 12, 16. Decree affirmed.