[2021] KEHC 9829 (KLR)
The court found that the death of the sole administratrix and one beneficiary left the estate partially unadministered, with no one legally empowered to complete the administration. The applicant, being a surviving son and beneficiary, had obtained the consent of the only other surviving beneficiary. The court held...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2021] KEHC 9829 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: Vijay Mohanlal Patel; Respondent: Estate of Mohanlal Khimji Devji Patel (Deceased)
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Mombasa
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Succession Cause 307 "A" of 2005
- Procedural Posture
- Succession Cause / Ruling on Application for Grant of Letters of Administration Debonis Non
- Outcome
- application allowed
- Judges
- JO Nyarangi
- Legal Topics
- Succession, Grant of Letters of Administration, Debonis Non Administration, Intestate Estate, Unadministered Estate
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Vijay Mohanlal Patel
Applicant
Estate of Mohanlal Khimji Devji Patel (Deceased)
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Succession Cause / Ruling on Application for Grant of Letters of Administration Debonis Non
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether a grant of letters of administration debonis non should issue to the applicant to complete administration of the unadministered part of the estate.
- 2 Whether the applicant has obtained the necessary consent from the surviving beneficiary.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the death of the sole administratrix and one beneficiary left the estate partially unadministered, with no one legally empowered to complete the administration. The applicant, being a surviving son and beneficiary, had obtained the consent of the only other surviving beneficiary. The court held that it was fair and just to appoint the applicant as administrator debonis non to complete the administration of the estate, as there was no opposition and all procedural requirements had been met.
Court Disposition
application allowed
Orders
- A grant of letters of administration debonis non to issue to Vijay Mohanlal Patel for purposes of completing administration of the estate.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
17 paragraphs
In re Estate of Mohanlal Khimji Devji Patel (Deceased) (Succession Cause 307 "A" of 2005) [2021] KEHC 9829 (KLR) (5 November 2021) (Ruling)
Neutral citation: [2021] KEHC 9829 (KLR)
Republic of Kenya
In the High Court at Mombasa
Succession Cause 307 "A" of 2005
JO Nyarangi, J
November 5, 2021
IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF MOHANLAL KHIMJI DEVJI PATEL (DECEASED)
Ruling
1. The deceased herein died intestate on March 27, 1993 leaving behind a widow Kanta Mohanlal Patel and three sons namely; Sanjay Mohanlal Patel, Vijay Mohanlal Patel and Nitin Mohanlal Patel. On July 11, 2005, the widow petitioned for a grant of letters of administration intestate. The same was granted on November 8, 2006 and confirmed on May 14, 2007. The estate was shared out as per the affidavit in support.
2. Unfortunately, the administratrix died on January 8, 2020 leaving 1/5 share in Mombasa /MS/Block III/34 as part of the un administered estate. Subsequently, on January 15, 2020 Nitin Mohanlal Patel died.
3. Consequently, Vijay Mohanlal Patel petitioned this court on June 15, 2021 seeking a grant of letters of administration debonis non to complete administration of the un administered part of the estate taking into account that the sole administratrix is deceased.
4. The application is supported by a death certificate of the deceased administrator and Nitin Mohanlal Patel one of the beneficiaries.
5. The petitioner also attached a consent purportedly signed by him and Sanjay Mohanlal Patel the other surviving beneficiary (son). The said consent is said to have been notarized before a notary public in UK.
6. It is clear from the pleadings and the death certificates attached that there is no administrator in place currently to finish administration of the estate. Therefore, there is need to appoint an administrator to complete administration of the un administered part of the estate given that there are only two surviving beneficiaries and one has consented on Vijay being appointed as an administrator. It is only fair and just that he be appointed as an administrator to complete administration of the estate.
7. Accordingly, the application is allowed and a grant of letters of administration debonis non to issue to the applicant one Vijay Mohanlal Patel for purposes of completing administration of the estate.
DATED, SIGNED AND DELIVERED VIRTUALLY AT MOMBASA THIS 5TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2021J. N. ONYIEGOJUDGE