State ex rel. Gordon v. Kennedy

Ellison, J. Defendant L. N. Kennedy was public administrator of Vernon county. Before the expiration of his term he resigned his office an(j governor appointed relator in his stead. While Kennedy was in office he had regular charge of the estate of Mary E. Truax. Afterward, on the order of the probate court, Kennedy made his final settlement with the probate court in which there was [386] a balance found due the estate of more than $1,600. This sum the court ordered him to turn over to relator, his successor in office. He failed to do so after demand and relator instituted the present action on his bond, the other defendants being his sureties. The circuit court gave judgment for defendants on the ground that relator did not have legal charge of the estate, holding that Kennedy had not resigned as administrator of the estate. The relator asked and the court refused to give the following instruction: “4. If the court finds from the evidence that the estate of Mary E. Truax, deceased, was ordered into the hands of L. N. Kennedy, as public administrator, by the probate court of Vernon county, and that said Kennedy took charge of and proceeded to administer the same after executing the bond in suit, and that said Kennedy afterward, to wit, about July, 1896, sent to the governor of Missouri his resignation as such public administrator and the same was accepted and relator, F. E. Grordon, was by said governor appointed public administrator of said county, and that he duly qualified ; and that afterward said Kennedy made his turnover settlement in said probate court in said estate and was ordered to turn over to his successor, and that he has failed and refused, after demand, to pay to his said successor the amount found to be due said estate, the finding and judgment should be for plaintiff.” The court gave for defendants the following instruction : “1. The court declares the law to be that F. E. Q-ordon did not have legál charge of the estate of Mary E. Truax as public administrator, the former administrator never having resigned as administrator of said estate, and therefore this suit can not be maintained at the relation and to the use of said Q-ordon.” STATUTES. We are of the opinion that relator's instruction should have been given and defendants' refused. It appears that the view taken by the circuit court was that Kennedy should have resigned as administrator of the estate as a private administrator does, and that such resignation was not accomplished by a resignation of his office and a final or turnover settlement. In relation to private administrators it is provided by section 43, Revised ~tatutes 1889, that any executor or administrator may "resign his letters" for good cause shown the court and on a notice to that effect published for four w~eks. But we do not think that section applies to public administrators. The following sections, relating to public administrators, are thought to bear upon the subject: "SEC. 300.-Additional Powers, Duties and Remedies.-Jn addition to the provisions of this article, he and his securities shall have the same powers as are conferred upon, and be subject to the same duties, penalties, provisions and proceedings as are enjoined upon or authorized against executors and administrators, guardians and curators by this chapter, so far as the same may be applicable. He shall have power to administer oaths and affirmations in all matters relating to or belonging to the exercise of his office. (B. S. 1879, sec. 307, amended; L. 1885, p. 28, amended.) "SEa. 301.-To Continue in Charge of Estates Until Discharged, etc.-When a public administrator has been appointed to take charge of an estate, he shall continue the athninistration until finally settled, unless he resigns, dies, is removed for cause, or is discharged in the ordinary course o~ law as the administrator. (R. S. 1879, sec. 309, amended)." "SEC. 305.-Oourt May Order Him to Account to Successor, When.-The probate court may at any [388] time,« for good cause shown, order the public administrator to account for and deliver all money, property or papers belonging to any estate in his hands to his successor in office, or to the heirs of said estate, or to any executor or administrator regularly appointed, as provided by law. (R. S. 1879, sec. 313.)” administration: tratos tion: statutes. ~ administer e"? tae' We are of the opinion that the true meaning of the statute is that a public ¿dministrator continues to administer estates in his hands even after the expiration of his term of office, unless ^ resjgüg hjg 0¡gice; |s removed, or is otherwise discharged according to law. In this case, as before stated, Kennedy resigned his office, his resignation was accepted by the governor and his successor appointed. He thereby became incapacitated to further administer estates in his hands and his duties devolved upon his successor. His functions as administrator ceased as effectively as if he had been removed from office. The express provision of the statute is that he shall continue the administration ‘ ‘unless he resigns. ’ ’ But it has been suggested that the word “resigns” has reference to his resigning his appointment by the probate court to take charge of a particular estate. Such is not the meaning of the statute. A public administrator has no authority to refuse to enter upon or to continue an administration which by law should be administered by him while he; holds the office. If he retains the office he must perform its duties as any other officer in whom trust and confidence is reposed. If he could retain the office and yet have power to resign at his own option from the administration of any particular estate, it would give him the right, instead of the law itself, to say what class of estates should be administered by the public administrator. He ought not to be [389] allowed to retain the office and yet choose for himself which of the duties of that office he will perform. The judgment is reversed and the cause is remanded. All concur.