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Townsend, v. Townsend

Supreme Court of Georgia
Oct 7, 1965
145 S.E.2d 247 (Ga. 1965)

Opinion

23129.

SUBMITTED SEPTEMBER 15, 1965.

DECIDED OCTOBER 7, 1965.

Equitable petition. Wayne Superior Court. Before Judge Flexer.

Dawson Phillips, Richard D. Phillips, for plaintiff in error.

Albert E. Butler, contra.


In the present case the exception is to a judgment overruling a general demurrer where it affirmatively appears upon the face of the petition that the court is without jurisdiction. Thus no right of action in the plaintiff is alleged. Ruis v. Lothridge, 149 Ga. 474 (2) ( 100 S.E. 635); Mullally v. Mullally, 199 Ga. 708 (2) ( 35 S.E.2d 199). The petition alleges that the defendant was previously appointed administrator of his wife's estate and is proceeding to sell her real estate for the purpose of paying the debts of the estate and distribution. The petition does not allege that any order of the ordinary was fraudulently procured or that the defendant did not have the legal right to be appointed if the ordinary found him to be competent. There is an averment by way of a conclusion that his purpose in obtaining the appointment as administrator was fraudulent, but it does not appear from the petition that notice was not given of his appointment, that any objection was filed to the same or any objection interposed to the order allowing the defendant administrator to sell the land. No appeal was taken from either order of the ordinary.

It is apparent that the ordinary had jurisdiction to appoint the defendant and to allow or disallow the sale of the deceased's property. In such a case equity will not interfere. Gaines v. Johnson, 216 Ga. 668, 670 (2) ( 119 S.E.2d 28); Darby v. Green, 174 Ga. 146 ( 162 S.E. 493); Hamrick v. Hamrick, 206 Ga. 564 ( 58 S.E.2d 145).

Judgment reversed. All the Justices concur, except Mobley, J., not participating for providential cause.

SUBMITTED SEPTEMBER 15, 1965 — DECIDED OCTOBER 7, 1965.


Summaries of

Townsend, v. Townsend

Supreme Court of Georgia
Oct 7, 1965
145 S.E.2d 247 (Ga. 1965)
Case details for

Townsend, v. Townsend

Case Details

Full title:TOWNSEND, Administrator v. TOWNSEND et al

Court:Supreme Court of Georgia

Date published: Oct 7, 1965

Citations

145 S.E.2d 247 (Ga. 1965)
145 S.E.2d 247

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