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4 Johns. Ch. 169

In re Folger

New York Court of Chancery

Decided November 12, 1819

New York Court of Chancery · decided 1819-11-12

PETITION of Aaron Folger, committee of the estate of the lunatic, stating that he was appointed committee in August, 1818. That in the autumn of 1818, on the petition of Thomas Folger, stating that he was grantee of a farm of the lunatic, by deed, dated a few days before the inquisition had been found, an issue was awarded to try the question of lunacy.

Cited by 3 later decisions — most recently November 1886

3 state decisions

Good law ✅— No negative treatment on recordhow we know

Decided 1819-11-12

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The Chancellor.

¶1In the case ex parte Ward, (6 Ves. 579.) a groundless petition by a stranger, for a traverse, was dismissed with costs. So, where the heir filed a bill to set aside a will- on the ground of the testator’s insanity, *170and failed, he was ordered by Lord Hardwicke, in Webb v. Claverden, (2 Atk. 423.) to pay costs. It would appear, from the case of White v. Wilson, (13 Ves. 87.) that when die heir demands an issue to try the testator’s sanity, and fails, he will be ordered to pay costs, if he sets up insanity as a pretext. The question of costs is discretionary, and depends upon the character of the application, and the conduct of the party.

¶2In the present case a relation of the lunatic had procured a deed .from him, while a lunatic, and his interest in establishing that deed, and not concern or humanity for the lunatic, was, probably, the motive for the traverse of the inquisition. He was struggling for his own advantage ; and it is just and reasonable that he should pay the costs to which he has, without just ground, and in furtherance of his claim, subjected the estate of the lunatic.

¶3Ordered, that T. F. pay the costs to be levred + within •twenty days, &<%

¶4 tased

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