In re Pfohl , 20 Misc. 627 ( 1897 )

Marcus, S.

The evidence produced upon the hearing to establish this claim of Anna T. Pfohl, for the sum of $2,232.40, is very far from being satisfactory.

No personal property to pay debts came into the hands of the executor, nor was there any personal property that might have been converted into money for the payment of such debts. The question to be decided is, are there any legal and valid debts existing against the decedent which would warrant this court in decreeing that the property should be sold for the purpose of such payment ?

Mary A. Pfohl died on the 19th day of June, 1892, in the town of Belle Eontaine, Logan county, Ohio. The real property in question is situated in this county. Her will was admitted to probate in this court on the 15th day of April, 1897.

The claim presented by Anna T. Pfohl to this executor is sworn and subscribed to on the 21st day of April, 1897, and is for board, washing, nursing and care, .amounting with interest to the sum of $2,182.40, such services commencing on the 21st day of May, 1889, and ending on the 19th day of June, 1892, with interest for four years; and the further claim for $50 for interest paid on mortgage on the home December 8, 1896, making in all a total of $2,232.40.

It will be noted that the services for which this claim are presented began May 21, 1889, and ceased June 19, 1892.

The petition alleges that the sum of $272 remains unpaid.; for funeral expenses, but upon the hearing, the same was . abandoned.

The will of the testatrix gave to her husband, the executor and petitioner herein, a life interest in the property in question, and upon his death, to be divided equally among the children of the deceased, share and share alike.

It is clear from the evidence that the executor tried to raise money for his own use upon this property before any proceedings were begun for the sale of the same to pay debts, in which effort he seems to have failed.

Th© claimant is a daughter-in-law of this executor, and the, evidence shows that they are interested in the same business.

The fact that the executor has allowed this claim can have no weight with the court, since the allowance or rejection of, the same by the executor has not the least relevancy in the matter whatever.

“ Whether a claim presented bears the seal of his sanction, or whether it comes into court unfathered and unprotected by his magic power, it is treated the same. It must be run through the same hopper, must be proved, established before the. surrogate, and that, too, as I interpret the law, by common law, proof.” Turner v. Amsdell, 3 Dem. 19.

I am satisfied that this proceeding was begun as a convenient form of raising money for the payment of a debt, which, to my mind, is exceedingly suspicious, and the -justice doubtful. This view is strengthened by the testimony that the executor had. tried on previous occasions to raise money upon this property, and that the will was never filed for probate until five years after the death of decedent.

By the terms of the will, this property is left in such a condition that a sale for the payment of debts would be a convenient form of disposing of the same outside of the directions of the testatrix, and it would seem that in no other way could it be sold than by establishing this claim as a valid claim and having a direction of this court to sell the real estate of this decedent for that purpose.

The deceased, with her husband, together with their son and his wife — this claimant- — lived in one household during all the time for which services are claimed.

While it is true that where one person renders services for another, which are known and accepted, the law implies a promise to pay for same, yet when such person rendering such services is a member of the same family of the person served, living in the same household, either as a parent, child or other near relative, a presumption of law arises that such services are gratuitous, so that the express promise of the party served must be shown by proof, which is clear and positive, especially — as in this case — -when the claim is against the estate of an intestate relative, in order to overcome the presumption. The family relation excludes- the idea of an implied contract between persons related by marriage and living together, and generally, like considerations apply to all persons who occupy family relations. Am. & Eng. Ency., vol. 17, pp. 341-342, and cases cited.

From the proof offered, I am not satisfied that the claim for board, washing, nursing and care of Mary’ T. Pfohl, is a valid claim, and, therefore, reject the same.

As .to-the claim-of' $50 paid for interest on December 8, 1896, which the petitioner borrowed of the claimant, I am equally well satisfied it should be disallowed, for the reason that a devise to one for life, or for a term of years, imposes on the devisee the duty to keep down all incidental charges upon the land which accrue during the existence of the estate. Further, it can in no way be claimed that the interest becoming due five years after the death of the testatrix, is in any way a “ debt of the decedent.”

Before a decree directing the disposition of real property, or any interest in real property, can be made, the fact must be established that the debt is that of the decedent.

The petitioner took the property for the term of his life, with all burdens, and it is his duty to pay the interest. Another question would be presented if the interest was due and payable at the testatrix’s death.

“ Before the surrogate is authorized to make any order for the mortgaging, leasing or sale of real property of the decedent, he must be satisfied, by legal proof, that the debts, for the purpose of - satisfying which the application is made, are justly due and owing from the testator, or intestate, as against the owners of the real estate.” Baker v. Kingsland, 10 Paige, 368.

The claims of Anna T. Pfohl have not been established to my satisfaction as debts of the decedent, and the same are, therefore, rejected, and petition dismissed.

Decreed accordingly.