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Duke v. Morreau

Supreme Court of Rhode Island
Feb 18, 1897
36 A. 839 (R.I. 1897)

Opinion

February 18, 1897.

Plaintiff's writ commanded the attachment of the defendant's personal estate in the hands or possession of "Estate of J.W. M." as the trustee of said defendant. Held, that an estate is not a person, copartnership or corporation, and is incapable of having any service made upon it. Held, further, that a trustee, whether strictly a party to the suit or not, must be described with the same certainty as if a party.

EXCEPTIONS to rulings of a district court.

John J. Arnold, for plaintiff.

Job S. Carpenter, for defendant.


The statute authorizes the service of a writ of attachment on the personal estate of a defendant in the hands or possession of any person, copartnership or corporation, as his trustee. The writ in the present case was directed to be served on the estate of John W. Manchester. An estate is not a person, copartnership or corporation, and is incapable of having any service made upon it. A trustee, whether strictly a party to the suit or not, must be described with the same certainty as if a party. We are of the opinion, therefore, that there was no service of the writ in this case by way of trustee process.

Exceptions sustained, and case remitted to the District Court of the Fourth Judicial District.


Summaries of

Duke v. Morreau

Supreme Court of Rhode Island
Feb 18, 1897
36 A. 839 (R.I. 1897)
Case details for

Duke v. Morreau

Case Details

Full title:CHARLES DUKE vs. CELESTIN MORREAU

Court:Supreme Court of Rhode Island

Date published: Feb 18, 1897

Citations

36 A. 839 (R.I. 1897)
36 A. 839