Opinion
June 2, 1953 —
July 3, 1953.
APPEALS from an order of the county court of Milwaukee county: G. L. PATTISON, Judge, Presiding. Affirmed in part; dismissed in part.
For the appellant Carl H. Juergens there was a brief and oral argument by Mr. Juergens, in pro. per.
For the appellant Perry J. Stearns there was a brief and oral argument by Mr. Stearns, in pro. per, and as attorney for the Robert Hill Foundation.
There was also oral argument by Berthold L. Berkwich of Milwaukee, for the Robert Hill Foundation.
For the respondents there was a brief by Quarles, Spence Quarles, attorneys, and Edward H. Borgelt and Wayne J. Roper of counsel, all of Milwaukee, and oral argument by Mr. Roper.
There are two appeals from an order entered on August 15, 1952, one by Carl H. Juergens, the other by Perry J. Stearns. The order is for allowance of fees to attorneys and to Mr. Stearns, one of the trustees of the Robert Hill Foundation, for services performed in the administration of the estate of John A. Hill, deceased.
The order provides that the trustees pay forthwith the balance of trustees' or attorneys' fees "which the court finds to be reasonable," to Perry J. Stearns, $2,500 and disbursements made by him in the amount of $969.40; to Carl H. Juergens, $2,500; to Quarles, Spence Quarles, attorneys for the trustees, $3,560 and disbursements in the sum of $120.41; to Morgan Berkwich, attorneys for the Foundation, $2,513 together with disbursements in the sum of $46.80. The order recites that "the above and foregoing fees herein allowed to be in full payment of any and all services performed by any and all of such trustees, or attorneys that are in any way connected with the estate of John A. Hill, deceased."
The claims filed by Mr. Juergens prior to October 5, 1951, aggregate $5,150. On October 29, 1951, and after the stipulation hereinafter referred to was entered into, he filed another for $330, and on June 27, 1952, still another for $3,179.19. Prior to the date of the stipulation Mr. Stearns filed a claim in the sum of $4,615.83; on October 30, 1951, after the date of the stipulation, he filed another in the sum of $585.25, and on June 25, 1952, another in the sum of $3,201.08.
On October 5, 1951, while the matter was in the hands of Hon. ROY STAUFF, county judge, a stipulation entered into by the parties interested was filed by the terms of which it was agreed that an objection theretofore filed to the claim of Perry J. Stearns be withdrawn, that his claim in the sum of $4,615.83, less what had been theretofore paid thereon, plus commissions of five per cent on the income for the year 1951 and a fee of $50 for preparing and filing his account and income-tax returns for the year 1951, and his disbursements should be allowed; that the several claims of Mr. Juergens in the sum of $5,150 be allowed; that the objections to the claim of Quarles, Spence Quarles be withdrawn and that their claim in the sum of $4,881.03 be allowed; that the objection to the claim of Clark M. Robertson, trustee, be withdrawn and that his claim in the sum of $2,000 be allowed; and that the claim of Morgan Berkwich in the sum of $3,513.30 including disbursements be allowed.
On October 19, 1951, an order was entered "that Hon. G. L. PATTISON, county judge of Buffalo county, Wisconsin, hear, try, and determine all of the issues that may come before the court in the above-entitled matter [the estate of John A. Hill, deceased]."
A hearing upon the claims was had on October 26, 1951, before Judge PATTISON. Mr. Juergens and Mr. Stearns appeared at the hearing. The stipulation was called to the court's attention. Mr. Juergens testified in support of his claims previously filed. The hearing was adjourned. As has been stated Mr. Juergens filed another claim for $330 on October 29, 1951, for services rendered between September 5, and October 11, 1951, and on October 30th Mr. Stearns filed an additional claim for $585.25.
On January 10, 1952, an order was entered by Judge PATTISON directing the trustees to pay "advanced attorneys' fees," $2,000 to each Mr. Stearns, Mr. Juergens, Morgan Berkwich, and Quarles, Spence Quarles, "without approval or disapproval of any stipulation or bill filed for attorneys' fees . . . or without prejudice thereto." The trustees complied with the order and Mr. Juergens and Mr. Stearns accepted payment.
On March 5, 1952, an order signed by Judge PATTISON was entered allowing the claim of Mr. Robertson at $2,000, the amount stated therein.
Another hearing was conducted by Judge PATTISON on March 20, 1952. Both Mr. Juergens and Mr., Stearns appeared. Two attorneys testified on behalf of Mr. Juergens and in support of his claim.
On June 2, 1952, Mr. Juergens filed an affidavit of prejudice against Judge PATTISON. It recites that affiant "has good reason to believe and verily believes that from prejudice or other cause said acting county judge . . . will not decide impartially. . . ."
Another claim was filed by Mr. Stearns on June 25, 1952, for $3,201.08, and by Mr. Juergens on June 27, 1952, for $3,179.19.
Mr. Juergens appeals from that part of the order of August 15, 1952, which allows him only a balance of $2,500 upon his claims filed for services rendered until and including October 10, 1951, and from that part thereof which entirely disallows his claim filed on June 26, 1952, for services rendered between October 10, 1951, and June 25, 1952. His appeal requires consideration of the court's action which affects all claims filed by him. He claims no error with respect to the other provisions of the order.
He contends that the court's allowance of Mr. Robertson's claim in the amount provided for him in the stipulation makes the stipulation "impregnable," binds the court with respect to its other provisions, and cites a number of cases in support of his contention. The cases are not in point. They deal with contracts in which there is no interest except that of the parties thereto and where performance is required of one who has received and enjoyed the fruits thereof. The stipulation in this case is not a contract at all. At most it is a suggestion to the court as to what amounts should be allowed in the way of fees. The matter of fees is one for determination by the court. Estate of Teasdale, 261 Wis. 248, 52 N.W.2d 366.
He contends that Judge STAUFF'S order of October 19, 1951, calling in Judge PATTISON may not be construed as granting authority to the latter to act on his claims, that such authority is limited by a previous order, also signed by Judge STAUFF, on October 10, 1951. The second order supersedes the first and provides that Judge PATTISON shall "hear, try, and determine all of the issues" that may come before the court in the matter of the estate of John A. Hill, deceased.
After Mr. Juergens had appeared twice before Judge PATTISON upon the matter of his claims, on June 2, 1952, he filed an affidavit of prejudice reciting that he believes that "from prejudice or other cause" the judge will not decide impartially. Following that, and on June 27, 1952, he filed another claim in the sum of $3,179.19 for services rendered between October 11, 1951, and June 25, 1952, the latter being the date upon which the appeal reported in Will of Hill, 261 Wis. 290, 52 N.W.2d 867, seems to have been taken. He contends that the affidavit served to oust the judge of jurisdiction. The recital, "from prejudice or other cause" is in the alternative, and "neither states the fact of prejudice nor any other cause, but simply that it is one or the other, without any possibility of ascertaining which." The affidavit was void. Billings v. Noble, 75 Wis. 325, 330, 43 N.W. 1131; Hager v. Falk, 82 Wis. 644, 52 N.W. 432; Blumme v. Tierney, 182 Wis. 511, 196 N.W. 967.
Mr. Juergens was paid $2,000 pursuant to the order of January 10, 1952, and the $2,500 allowed him by the order from which he appeals. He accepted the fruits of the order and therefore cannot maintain an appeal therefrom even though he may not have intended to relinquish such right. Hanson v. Chicago L. S. R. Co. 167 Wis. 335, 167 N.W. 450.
The appeal of Mr. Stearns is from the whole of the order of August 15, 1952, and also the order of March 5, 1952, which allows $2,000 to Mr. Robertson.
He argues at some length concerning his rights under and the effect of the stipulation to which we have referred. In so far as his own fees are concerned it is sufficient to refer to what we have said regarding acceptance by Mr. Juergens of the amount allowed him by the order of August 15, 1952. Mr. Stearns also accepted what was allowed him, and he may not complain. No more need be said concerning the attack which he makes upon his allowance. As in the case of Mr. Juergens all of his claims had been filed when the order was entered.
The claim of Clark M. Robertson in the amount of $2,000 for services rendered by him as a trustee is verified by his attorney and is stated in very general terms. On April 13, 1951, an objection thereto was made by the attorneys for the Foundation. Nowhere in the record do we find any evidence suggesting the nature and extent of his services nor their value. As we have already observed, the court was not bound by the terms of the stipulation for fees. That part of the order of March 5, 1952, allowing Mr. Robertson $2,000 and from which Mr. Stearns appeals, is therefore without support. The cause should be remanded for further proceedings to determine what sum should be allowed Mr. Robertson for his services.
By the Court. — Upon the appeal of Carl H. Juergens the order is affirmed. Upon the appeal of Perry J. Stearns from that part of the order which allows him for fees and disbursements the order is affirmed; and that part of the order allowing compensation for services to Clark M. Robertson is reversed, and cause remanded for further proceedings in accordance with this opinion.
The following memorandum was filed September 11, 1953:
The respondents Emmet L. Richardson and Clark M. Robertson, two of the trustees under the will of John A. Hill, deceased, have moved for rehearing. They call attention to the fact that no appeal was taken from the order of March 3, 1952, allowing fees to Clark M. Robertson, until October 3, 1952, more than sixty days from the date of the entry of the order, sec. 324.04 (1), Stats. The matter was overlooked and we are willing to share the blame with counsel who made no reference to the matter in their briefs submitted upon the appeal. We have no jurisdiction but to dismiss the appeal. Estate of Pitcher, 240 Wis. 356, 2 N.W.2d 729.
By the Court. — That part of the mandate which provides that "that part of the order allowing compensation for services to Clark M. Robertson is reversed, and cause remanded for further proceedings in accordance with this opinion" is withdrawn, and there is substituted therefor the following: "The appeal of Perry J. Stearns from the order of March 3, 1952, allowing fees to Clark M. Robertson, is dismissed." No motion costs to be taxed.