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122 La. 407

Barbin v. Couvillon

Supreme Court of Louisiana

Decided November 30, 1908

Supreme Court of Louisiana · decided 1908-11-30

Opposition of Helina Barbin and others to the account of W. F. Couvillon, testamentary executor. From the judgment of homologation, the executor appeals.

Cited by 1 later decisions — most recently May 1909

1 state decisions

Relies on Robouam's Heirs v. Robouam's · Smith v. Cheney

Good law ✅— No negative treatment on recordhow we know

Amended and affirmed · Decided 1908-11-30

View the full empirical analysis of this case →

BREAUX, C. J.

¶1The heirs of the late Ludger Barbin opposed the testamentary executor’s account on a number of grounds.

¶2Three of these grounds were sustained by the court.

¶3From the judgment of homologatioD, the testamentary executor appeals.

¶4The total inventory of the separate and community property amounted to $14,251.75.

¶5There were two communities. He was twice married.

¶6The community property of the first community amounted to $11,461.75, and the amount of the second community is $2,790.

¶7The executor states as a witness that he took possession of and administered the succession.

¶8*409It also appears of record that the heirs went into possession of a part of the estate, and it had passed into the possession of the executor.

¶9We infer from the evidence that it was some time after the executor had charge of the affairs of the succession that the heirs went into possession of part of the property.

¶10They gaye to the executor an undated receipt for this property, in which they stated that the executor had sold sufficient of the property to pay and satisfy the debts of the succession, and that he had carried out all other clauses and provisions of the will of the de cujus, and that the estate was finally settled by the delivery of the property described in the receipt. This receipt as relates to the seisin of the executor concludes the heirs.

¶111. The main contention between the plain, tiffs and appellees relates to the testamentary executor’s commission.

¶12The heirs, who are appellees, aver that he is not entitled to a commission on the amount of the inventory, but only on the proceeds of the sales made.

¶13The judge of the district court reduced the executor’s commission of $336.27 to $100.55. This reduction was arrived at by allowing commission on the sum of $7,622, on which he allowed 2% per cent., equal to $190.55.

¶14(a)Seisin:

¶15The judge states in his opinion that the executor under the terms of the will did not have the seisin of the property in hind except that which was sold, and on- which he allowed a commission, and was delivered to the heirs.

¶16The question of seisin does not appear to have been raised on the trial in the district court. There was no question about seisin. The will was not copied in the record. What it contains in regard to seisin, if anything, is not before us. The testimony shows that he was in possession and these heirs have accepted a large part of the property from the executor.

¶17Our learned Brother of the district court states in his opinion — written by him to form the basis of the decree — -that the executor did not have the seisin of the property.

¶18We have already noted the undated receipt which the heirs gave to the executor, and in which they acknowledged delivery of the property and made reference to his administration as executor.

¶19We have not been able to find a state of facts to sustain the conclusion of the district judge. There is affirmative testimony of administration of the property and seisin by the executor. He was authorized to act by the court of probate jurisdiction.

¶20The property of the succession which passed from his possession to that of the heirs passed under a private agreement, and was a legal act which must be held to have recognized the executor as administering at least that much of the property.

¶21(b) Sale:

¶22Robouam’s Heirs v. Eobouam’s Ex’r, 12 La. 73.

¶23The executor was entitled to a full commission on property unsold as well as on property sold.

¶24It has been decided by this court that in the event property retained in kind, after a few months’ administration, is delivered over to the heirs, the administrator is entitled to a commission of 2% per cent, on the whole amount of the inventory. Smith v. Cheney, 1 Rob. 98.

¶25(c) Inventory in calculating interest:

¶26The articles of the Code are not entirely similar, those applying in calculating the commission of the administrator, the curator, and the articles relating to the executor’s commission.

¶27As to the last, they provide a commission on the amount of the inventory if the executor had seisin. Civ. Code, art. 1683.

¶28*411As to the others, there is more room for interpretation. Under our view if the property is wild'land for instance, valueless, unproductive, there would be no consideration for a commission if it required no attention.

¶29The executor would not be entitled to a commission. Here it does appear that the property had some value and was in the ex•ecutor’s possession.

¶30Alleged exaggerated value of property in inventory:

¶31If the inventory be wrong, if it had been ■shown that there was purpose to inflate the values, it would be different.

¶32The heirs in effect accepted this inventory, and had the property sold on the basis of value in the inventory. They held it out as ■worth the amount at which it was appraised. They cannot now be heard without proof to urge that it should not be taken as the basis in fixing the commission.

¶332. (c) Counsel fee:

¶34The objection on the part of the heirs is that it is excessive.

¶35The attorney claimed on the account $400. This was reduced by the district judge to #380.

¶36We can conceive of no good reason for ■changing this amount. It is sustained by the evidence, and has no appearance of being an excessive charge.

¶37Application is made by the heirs to the fee •of $250, an inconsiderable difference.

¶38The succession was properly administered. We judge that every detail of the succession received needful attention. On that view ■we concluded to permit it to remain as it is .and not to reduce the fee.

¶393." Promissory note of Widow Barbin:

¶40The amount of this note is $260.

¶41The amount of the consideration is not shown with any degree of certainty, nor is it proven that she brought the property claimed in marriage in her own right. She testified that she had received the amount, but failed .to inform the court how it was that she had it as her paraphernal property, or from whom she received it. She testified, it is true, that this note represents rent collected by deceased from her property which she inherited, except $20 for a colt which she had sold her husband.

¶42The reported sale between husband and wife as to seriousness and binding effect is about on a level with the claim on the ground that the other paraphernal property was for rent of separate property.

¶43Besides, under the provisions of law, such rental falls into the community, particularly in view of the testimony in the pending case.

¶44Returning to the commission of the executor only to fix the amount, we are of opinion that it should be increased to $304.-55, and it therefore remains as placed at the amount of $304.55.

¶45The judgment is amended by increasing the executor’s commission to the amount of $304.55, and, as thus amended, the judgment is affirmed.

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