![]() Western's claim that Quincy cannot recover is unpersuasive. On this pleading, we cannot say that "it appears beyond doubt that the plaintiff can prove no set of facts in support of claim which would entitle to relief." Nader v. Such an allegation seems to fall within G. The action against Jackson alleges that he negligently managed the property, causing damage. Western claims that Jackson did not breach the condition of his bond and, moreover, the ward did not suffer loss because Quincy paid for the damage suffered. 211B expresses "the legislative intent to minimize subject matter jurisdictional concerns." A fortiori, where the concerns are less than jurisdictional, dismissal need not be the solution in cases where a transfer would "promote the orderly and effective administration We consider this a case where, on request, it would be appropriate for the Superior Court judge to ask the Chief Administrative Justice to transfer the case, or the judge, or both, to the Probate Court to determine whether authorization should be granted or whether to allow the case to proceed in accordance with Section 7A, where authorization by a judge is not required. 123, 130 (1981), and a probate judge's authorization is merely a condition precedent to bringing an action. ![]() Subject matter jurisdiction cannot be conferred by consent or authorization, see Konstantopoulos v. As we have indicated, in this kind of a case authorization of a probate judge may be presumed. 2 Newhall, Settlement of Estates Section 267 (1958).Īlthough authorization was not here obtained, contrary to Western's contention, the defect is not one of subject matter jurisdiction. Rogers, 2 Gray 175, 177 (1854), but objection must be taken at the first stage of the proceedings otherwise, authorization is presumed to have been duly given unless the contrary appears from the pleadings. person aggrieved by such maladministration to bring an action on the bond." Failure to obtain such authorization is a good defense, Fay v. Of the three sections is applicable, Section 23 provides: "If the probate court, upon representation of a person interested in an estate, finds that the executor or administrator has failed in any manner not specified in the three preceding sections to perform the conditions of his bond, it may authorize any. Under certain conditions, set forth in three sections, Sections 20-22, none of which here applies, actions on bonds of executors or administrators may be brought in the Superior Court without authorization of a probate judge. To understand the procedure, a close examination of the statutory provisions set forth in G. 205 permits a direct action by a petition in equity in the Probate Court "by any party interested in his own name." An alternate route, which "shall be brought in the uperior ourt" under Section 30 of G. There are two routes to an action on a fiduciary bond. See 2 Newhall, Settlement of Estates Section 262 (1958) Long v. " An action on the bond is the proper way to obtain redress for improper conduct of a conservator. 2: "To manage and dispose of all such property according to law and for the best interests of the ward, and faithfully to perform his trust in relation to such property. The conditions of the bond here relevant are contained in G. ![]() The bond of a conservator is payable to a judge of the Probate Court on certain conditions. We therefore dismiss Quincy's appeal but, by way of dictum, indicate our views since there appear to be no recent appellate cases involving actions on fiduciaries' bonds.ġ. The appeal before us is interlocutory as it does not appear that the judge entered an order under Mass.R.Civ.P.ĥ4(b), 365 Mass. This is an appeal by Quincy from the allowance of Western's motion to dismiss. Western moved to dismiss the count against it for lack of subject matter jurisdiction and for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted. ![]() Alleging that Malcolm Jackson, the conservator of the property of Alice Williams, acted negligently in failing to heat her property, causing severe water damage to her home and its contents, Quincy Mutual Fire Insurance Company (Quincy) brought this action against Jackson and against Western Surety Company (Western), the surety on Jackson's bond. On transfer to the Superior Court Department, a motion to dismiss was heard by Richard S. 205.ĬIVIL ACTION commenced in the Brockton Division of the District Court Department on June 17, 1991. Present: DREBEN, GREENBERG, & LAURENCE, JJ.ĭiscussion of actions on fiduciaries' bonds brought under G. ![]()
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