Page:An introduction to Roman-Dutch law.djvu/95

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Guardianship
55

this regard keeps well within the limits of the annual income of the estate, unless in very special circumstances, which should be made the subject of an application to the Court.[1]

(5) to administer the property; 5. Administration of the ward's property.[2] This includes the general supervision and management of the minor's estate, in which task the guardian must display the diligence which a bonus paterfamilias applies to his own affairs.[3] His expenditure must be such as is demanded by the interest and credit of the minor, regard being had to the value of the estate and the minor's position in life.[4] He must preserve and secure the property,[5] call in and enforce debts,[6] invest in good securities,[7] and meet the minor's liabilities as they fall due. When the guardianship comes to an end, the guardian must properly wind up the business of his office, and is deemed to remain guardian for the purpose.[8] Where there are more guardians than one, it is not necessary that they should all act; but, whether he acts or not, each is responsible for the acts of every other.[9]

(6) not to alienate immovables without leave of Court;

6. Alienation of property. A guardian may, in due course of administration, sell[10] or mortgage any movable property under his charge. But the alienation or hypothecation of immovable property, except by leave of the Court,[11] is entirely void. Such leave is only given after full inquiry,
  1. Voet 27. 2. 2.
  2. Gr. 1. 9. 11; Van Leeuwen, 1. 16. 8; V. d. L. 1. 5. 3.
  3. Dig. 26. 7. 33 pr. (but see Dig. 27. 3. 1 pr.); Voet, Compendium, 26. 7. 3.
  4. Voet, 26. 7. 6; 27. 2. 2.
  5. Voet, 26. 7. 8.
  6. Voet, 26. 7. 7.
  7. Gr. 1. 9. 10; Van Leeuwen, 1. 16. 8; Voet, 26. 7. 10; V. d. K. Th. 153–6; Van der Byl & Co. v. Solomon (1877) Buch. at p. 27 per de Villiers C.J.
  8. Voet, 26. 7. 15. If the guardianship is determined by the minor's death, the guardian must render accounts and make over the property to his heir. V. d. K. Th. 159.
  9. Gr. 1. 9. 11; Voet, 26. 7. 1; V. d. L. 1. 6. 3 (ad fin.). Remuneration of guardians—vide infra, p. 61, n. 3.
  10. Gr. 1. 8. 5; Voet, 27. 9. 4. Grotius adds: ‘doch met kennisse van de weeskamer daer de zelve niet en is uitgesloten’.
  11. Gr. 1. 8. 6. Van Leeuwen (1. 16. 9) says, ‘otherwise than with the consent of the Court or local tribunal’.