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37 Kan. 670

Gustafison v. Ericksdotter

Supreme Court of Kansas

Decided July 15, 1887

Supreme Court of Kansas · decided 1887-07-15

Error from Clay District Court. This was an action brought by the defendant in error to partition a tract of land situated in Clay county, Kansas, alleged to be owned in common by the plaintiff and defendant.

Cited by 2 later decisions — most recently January 1939

2 state decisions

Good law ✅— No negative treatment on recordhow we know

Decided 1887-07-15

View the full empirical analysis of this case →

¶1Opinion by

Clogston, C.:

¶2The only question is, did the court err in sustaining the demurrer to the defendant’s answer ? This question brings up the inquiry, can a person of unsound mind bring an action without a guardian or next friend being joined as plaintiff? We think not. Our statutes provide who shall prosecute and defend actions for and against persons of unsound mind. Section 18, ch. 60, Compiled Laws of 1885, is as follows:

It shall be the duty of every such guardian to prosecute *671and defend all actions instituted in behalf of or against his ward, to collect all debts due or becoming due to his ward, and give acquittances or discharges therefor, and to adjust, settle and pay all demands due or becoming due from his ward, so far as his effects and estate will extend, as hereinafter provided.”

¶3The defendant’s answer clearly raises the question of insanity, and the demurrer of the plaintiff admits the allegations to be true. Plaintiff, then, being admitted to be a person of unsound mind, has no capacity to bring this action; and what she cannot in person do, she cannot direct or employ an attorney to do for her. The court erred in sustaining the demurrer.

¶4It is therefore recommended that the cause be reversed, and remanded with the order that the court overrule said demurrer.

¶5By the Court:' It is so ordered.

All the Justices concurring.
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