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94 Wis. 146

Carpenter v. Fopper

Wisconsin Supreme Court

Decided October 13, 1896

Wisconsin Supreme Court · decided 1896-10-13

B. Wyman, Circuit Judge. Action by an administrator to enforce specific performance of an agreement to convey lands, made by the defendant to the plaintiff’s decedent in her lifetime. It appears that the purchase price had been fully paid, and that the decedent was in actual occupancy of the lands, and left children. It does not appear that there are debts against the estate, or a deficiency of personal estate to pay debts, nor that the plaintiff is in possession.

Cited by 2 later decisions — most recently March 1956

2 state decisions

Key passage — most relied on by later courts

““At the common law, and in the absence of a statute, the administrator has no right to the possession, even, of the real estate. Under the statute (R. S. sec. 3823) [now sec. 312.04] he has no right to the possession unless there are claims against the estate unpaid.””

quoted by 1 later decision, including Estate of Rieman

Relies on McManany v. Sheridan

Good law ✅— No negative treatment on recordhow we know

Affirmed · Decided 1896-10-13

View the full empirical analysis of this case →

Newman, J.

¶1The demurrer ore terms raises tbe question whether the complaint states a cause of action in favor of the plaintiff. No doubt the interest which plaintiff’s decedent had in these lands is “lands” and “real estate” within the statute definition. E. S. sec. 4971, subd. 9. These lands, on the death of the • intestate, descended at once, by operation of law, to her children. E. S. sec. 2270, subd. 1. At the common law, and in the absence of a statute, the administrator has no right to the possession, even, of the real estate. Under the statute (E. S. sec. 3823) he has no right to the possession unless there are claims against the estate unpaid. McManany v. Sheridan, 81 Wis. 538. Having neither a title nor a right to the possession of the lands it is. difficult to apprehend what legal interest he can have in the specific performance of this contract. If performance is due, it is due to the heirs of the plaintiff’s decedent, and not to the plaintiff. He has no interest to be vindicated, either in the title or in the possession. He. does not represent the heirs. He is neither the real party in interest nor the trustee of an express trust in relation to these lands. He has no interest. The complaint does not show any cause of action in favor of the plaintiff. The demurrer was rightly sustained.

¶2By the Court.— The judgment of the circuit court is affirmed. »

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