Phelps vs. Worcester

Assumpsit, on account annexed for services rendered and money paid out in a suit brought, by the plaintiff as attorney, in the name of the defendant.

It was agreed that the defendant was a minor, under the age of ten years, and was the ward of Eleazer Worcester at the time of the charges in the plaintiff ⅛ account; and that the services were rendered and the money paid by the plaintiff under the direction of Eleazer Worcester, as guardian of the defendant, in a suit to recover the possession of a tract of land in Bristol, claimed by the guardian as the property of his said ward. contended, 1. That the case found no contract made with the infant; that the guardian could not contract so as to bind the infant to any liability directly as a party to such contract; and that whoever is employed by a guardian must resort in his remedy to him, and not elsewhere.

If the court shall be of opinion that the action can be sustained upon this statement, judgment is to be rendered for the amount of the plaintiff’s account—otherwise for the defendant for his costs.

Thompson, for the defendant,

2. That even if a contract could be implied, as against the ward, it might be avoided in this case, it not being for necessaries—that necessaries were limited to food, apparel and education—what concerned the person of the ward, and not his estate.

3. That the ward was liable only to his guardian on a final adjudication of all his accounts in the probate account. argued that it was to be inferred that the claim was just, and the suit properly brought, as no suggestion had been made that the bringing of the suit was not essential to the best interests of the ward.

Phelps Sp Bell, for the plaintiff,

Had there been no guardian, and the infant was without aid, could he not properly employ others to enforce his rights to his property ?

It is said suit may be against the guardian. This may be true, but does it prevent a suit against the ward ?

It appears that the services and expenditures of the plaintiff, for which suit is brought, were rendered on request of the defendant’s guardian, the defendant being then a minor; and the plaintiff claims to recover, on the ground that these services were beneficial to the minor, and that the minor is therefore liable to him on an implied as-sumpsit. But the authorities are clear, that in all cases where the guardian undertakes to act for the infant in procuring aid, or the making of contracts or purchases for him, an implied assumpsit on the part of the infant is precluded. Such is the case even for necessaries. Thus it is said by Bacon, that “if an infant comes, and a person boards him, an implied contract will arise against the infant: but otherwise, if placed there by his guardian.” 3 Bacon's Ab. 596, Title Infancy. If the infant lives with his father, or guardian, and their care and protection are duly exercised, he cannot bind himself even for necessaries. 2 Kent’s Com. 239; 2 Black. R. 1325, Bainbridge vs. Pickering; 9 Johns. 141, Wailing vs. Toll.

The rule that, the guardian, where he undertakes to act for the ward in contracts with others, should alone be liable, is sustained by the soundest reason. A different rule would subject the ward to numerous suits, the merits of which might be wholly unknown to him. In all expenditures arising under such contracts the ward should be liable only to his guardian. He is thus amenable to but one individual, and then only on a decree of court on settlement of his guardianship account. The enquiry has been made, if there had been no guardian, and the infant were without aid, whether he might not employ others to protect his rights to his property, and be legally holden, notwithstanding the interposition of his minority. We think clearly not. Though such services may promote the sound interests of the ward, they are not such assistance as comes within the term of necessaries. Lord Coke considers the necessaries of the infant to “ include victuals, clothing, medical aid. and good teaching or instruction, whereby he may profit himself afterwards.” Co. Litt. 172, a. Such aid concerns the person, and not the estate; and we know of no authority which goes beyond this. An infant’s rights to his estate are not prejudiced by his infancy, and any services to sustain such rights may he ratified by the infant when he comes of age, but cannot be enforced against him as necessaries.

But this case is clear from any exception of this kind, as the defendant was under guardianship, and the proceedings, to recover compensation for which this suit is now brought, were instituted and the expenditures incurred under the express direction of the guardian.

In Smith vs. Philbrick, 2 N. H. Rep. 395, it was settled by this court, that a guardian can maintain no action against his ward for money advanced, or services rendered as guardian to the ward, until he has settled his guardianship account in the probate court. It was remarked by Chief Justice Richardson, in that case, “ that it could not admit of a doubt that accounts between guardians and wards could be more conveniently settled, and with less expense to the parties, in the courts of probate than by actions at law in this court; and besides, according to the course of proceedings in those courts, guardians must there make oath to the truth and justice of their claims, which may in many cases be of much importance to the ward; and that it would be highly improper and inconvenient to permit guardians to maintain against their wards actions for money advanced and services rendered by them as guardians, while their accounts remain unadjusted in the courts of probate; for in such cases we must go into an investigation of the whole guardianship account, or permit the guardian in many cases to recover, when, if the whole account were investigated, he would be found indebted to the ward.’1 The reasoning and principle of the case cited go clearly to show the still greater impropriety of permitting individuals to institute suits against the ward on claims created by contract with the guardian. If the guardian cannot sue the ward on such claims, surely those he contracts with cannot. Their remedy is upon the guardian, and his remedy is upon the ward, on such decree of final adjustment betwixt the guardian and ward as may be rendered in the court to whose jurisdiction such adjudication is especially committed.

This action, therefore, cannot be sustained, and there must be Judgment for the plaintiff.