Cotton v. Cullen

Martin, J., delivered the opinion of the court. The defendant, sued as the only heir of Cooksey, except, ed to the petition on the following grounds: 1st. That he is not the only heir of Cooksey, as therein alleged. 2d. That the petition did not state that the deceased had left any property, where situated, or that the defendant kad accepted the succession, either generally or with the benefit of inventory. 3d. That the petition sheweth the deceased was a resident of Virginia; that he left a will; and his estate, according to the laws of that state, is to be administered by the executor, who has the possession of it till the debts are paid. 4th. That the petition does not state, directly or indirectly, that the deceased left any property in Louisiana. These exceptions being overruled, the defendant denied he was Cooksey’s heir, and pleaded the general issue. It was proved that Cooksey was lost at sea, leaving a will by which he appointed the defendant his executor and residuary legatee; that the defendant proved the will in Rich [374] mond, Virginia, and gave bond, according to law, for the faithful execution of the will. If a defendant deny that he is heir, he cannot he made liable until ■it be shewn that he accepted the inheritance, altho’ by the will he be appointed executor and residuary legatee. Irwin deposed that, in a conversation with the defendant, he has understood something of the defendant’s attending to, or superintending, the sale of slaves belonging to the es* tate of the deceased; and that the witness further understood that Priddy was agent of a firm that had existed in Richmond between one Prentis and the deceased; and that since the death of the latter, he has understood, the defendant gave Priddy instructions with regard to the disposal of slaves belonging to the partnership. From conversations with the defendant, the witness has inferred, that the former and other persons were the heirs of the deceased. He has further understood that there is property of Cooksey & Prentiss’s in New-Orleans; and the defendant, as one of Cooksey’s heirs, expects to receive property from Prentis. Priddy deposed he has heard the defendant say he was one of Cooksey’s heirs; that the witness has funds belonging to the firm of Cooksey & Prentis; that he has not paid any money, or delivered any note to the defendant, as heir of Cooksey. On this testimony the Parish Judge was of opinion, that the defendant being executor and residuary legatee, and having proved the will and taken on himself the charge of its execution, he made himself liable to account for the regularity of his administration to every creditor of the estate, who, on proof of his claim, becomes entitl&d to be satisfied out of the funds of the estate in the executor’s hands. The court, after this, being satisfied of the plaintiff’s claim on the estate, gave judgment against the defendant; presuming, from the large penalty of his bond, in Virginia, as executor, ($20,000,) that the estate is sufficient to pay all its debts. From this judgment the defendant appealed. He was sued as heir: it must therefore be shewn, before he be made liable in the present suit, that he accepted the inheritance. ■ [375] ' We have doubted whether the negative, in his first exception, was not pregnant with the affirmative that he was one of the heirs. He was sued as the only heir; and exeepted .... to the petition, as incorrectly charging him in a capacity which he did not possess. It appears to us, on reflection, the exception is a mere denial of the allegation in the petition. ‘ ■ There is no evidence of any act of the defendant as heir, except what Irwin says: that in a conversation with him, he understood something of his, the defendant’s, attending to, or superintending the sale of the deceased’s slaves. What that something was, the’ witness does not state. To this part of the evidence the first judge does not appear to have attached any importance. The nature of the instructions . the defendant gave in relation to the partnership slaves, we are not informed; and Preddy, the agent of the partnership, in whose hands its slaves were, is absolutely silent. When we consider that the defendant was executor to the deceased’s will, which contains several legacies to other persons, it is clear, notwithstanding his interference with the property of the estate, he cannot be charged, as ah absolute heir,' with the whole debts, till he makes himself liable by an act as absolute heir: till the debts are paid, and the legacies are paid, the residuary legatee has its option to renounce ' or accept as a beneficiary heir. His verbal declaration that he is an heir, and expects to receive property as such, are not an acceptance. — Civil Code, 983 — 989. As there is no evidence of acceptance of the capacity of heir, we think the judge erred in giving judgment against him. It is therefore ordered, adjudged, and decreed, that the judgment of the Parish Court be annulled, avoided, and reversed; and that there be judgment against the plaintiff, as in case of nonsuit, the appellee paying costs in both courts* '