Bull v. Bull , 38 N.Y. Sup. Ct. 69 ( 1883 )

LeaRNEd, P. J.:

Franklin Bull, in April, 1879, was sick. He determined to change bis will previously made by adding a codicil, so as to give $3,000 to be equally divided among six nephews, of whom plaintiff is one. Lie stated that determination to George Bull, who was an executor of the existing will and tbe father of the residuary and principal devisee and legatees therein. George Bull thereupon stated to Franklin that he need not make a codicil, but that he, George, would pay the $500 to each of the nephews.

The learned justice who tried the case has found as a matter of fact, that it was then understood between George and Franklin that these sums were to be paid by George out of Franklin’s estate, and not that George was to pay them personally, and that the promise was given and received on this understanding. On an examination of the evidence we are satisfied that this finding is correct.

Franklin died the same month without making the codicil which he had intended. Letters testamentary under his will were issued to George and to one Dana, the executors. Dana transacted most of the business in the settlement of the estate. After the death of Franklin, George admitted the promise and stated that he intended that it should be carried out. The residuary legatees under Franklin’s will refused to consent to the payment; and payment has not been claimed from Franklin’s estate. That estate is not settled,- and amounts over liabilities to $15,000. George Bull died in November, 1879, and the defendant is bis executrix. Tbe other five nephews have assigned their claims against the estate of George to the plaintiff. He now seeks to recover from the estate of George the $3,000 and interest.

If this were a promise to pay out of the estate of Franklin,' and if it therefore had the effect to impose a trust upon that estate, then such trust must be enforced against the surviving executor of Franklin’s estate.

If, on the other hand, it were a promise to pay personally, then as George was not a legatee or devisee, he did not divert, by this promise, to his own benefit anything from the plaintiff and his assignors. He practised no fraud upon them.

We think that the learned justice correctly stated that, in all the cases bearing upon this subject, the promise which has been enforced has been made by a person who, by descent, or devise or bequest, has received from the decedent, property out of' which the proposed devise or legacy would have come; which proposed devise or legacy was prevented by the promise of the person thus held liable.

And if, in this view, it be said that George, as an executor of Franklin, received the estate charged with this trust; if it should be claimed that by this oral promise of one who was to be executor a legacy was given, then the trust must be enforced out of the estate of Franklin.

The reason of the rule is explained in Williams v. Fitch (18 N Y., 549), and cases are cited; and it will appear that in these cases the promissor has, by his promise, prevented the diverting of property from himself. He has not, so far as we can see, been held liable when he was a stranger, not entitled to receive the property by inheritance, bequest or devise. And certainly when the only promise was, by the understanding of the parties, to be performed out of Franklin’s estate, we do not seé that George could be personally liable. If not; then not his estate.

The judgment should be affirmed, with costs.

Present — Leaeubd, P. J., BoakdhaN and BocKes, JJ.

Judgment affirmed, ydth costs.