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3 Haw. 178

Treadway v. Phillips

Hawaii Supreme Court

Decided October 15, 1869

Hawaii Supreme Court · decided 1869-10-15

“ Peter H. Treadway, as lie is guardian of the minor child of the late Thomas King, and also trustee of the estate of said deceased, claims that fifteen hundred dollars, being a proportionate part of the amount taken by Frank Molteno, under the supposed provisions of the will of said deceased, and the codicil thereto, should be refunded to said estate, the said Molteno not having lived long enough to discharge all the duties imposed upon him by said will and codicil.

Decided 1869-10-15

Hartwell, J.:

¶1By reading over the record referred to in the above statement, the facts appear, which the statement should have set forth, that King died April 1, 1863, and by his will, duly, admitted to probate, appointed Molteno executor of his estate, and guardian of his infant daughter. The age of the daughter appears in no part of the records. Jt is to be inferred, that Molteno, having accepted this trust, as the record shows, held it until his death, a period of nearly six years. By the terms of the codicil, the widow and daughter are to have the interest on the property until the daughter is of age, and Molteno, if he himself use the money bequeathed, is to have ten per cent, thereof for his trouble.

¶2If, by his own fault, the executor failed to fulfill his trust, no compensation for his services could be allowed, but when the completion of his trust becomes impossible by the act of God, he is entitled to a quantum meruit for services rendered.

¶3The defendant informs the Court that he asks no decision upon the amount to be allowed, unless the said sum of *180$1,500, assumed to be the entire percentage named in the codicil, be allowed.

Honolulu, November 17th, 1869.

¶4The entire percentage can not be allowed, and the said sum of $1,500 is to be refunded to the King estate.

¶5Let judgment be entered up accordingly.

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