McGee's Estate

Citations

• 205 Pa. 590
• 55 A. 776
• 1903 Pa. LEXIS 619

Syllabus

<p>Decedent's estate — Attorney at law — Contract for services.</p> <p>The heirs of a decedent agreed in writing to the employment of two attorneys, to whom the management of important litigation in which, the estate was involved should be given, and who were to receive for their services twenty-five per cent of the amount realized for the estate. One of the attorneys declined to act, and his name was stricken out of the agreement. Another attorney was employed by the heirs, with the knowledge of the administrator, to assist in the litigation. He acted in conjunction with the attorney first retained, but did not have a knowledge of the agreement that had been made until after the litigation was ended. At the audit of the estate the attorney whose name was in the agreement claimed the entire twénty-five per cent. The orphans’ court allowed him but twelve and one half per cent, and made to the other attorney who took part in the litigation an allowance based on the value of his services. Held, not to be error.</p>