James F. Bird, Executors of the Estate of Laura L. Jeffords, Formerly Laura L. Paul, Deceased v. Charles B. Sullivan, Jr.

EDGERTON, Circuit Judge.

The executors of the estate of Laura L. Jeffords appeal from an order of the United States District Court holding a Probate Court which granted appellee’s motion to withdraw as counsel for the executors, ordered judgment for $10,000 in his favor and against the estate for services rendered, and “authorized and directed” the executors to pay this judgment.

We think the court erred. D.C. Code § 20-605 (Fifth), which authorizes executors to pay attorneys’ fees and the probate court to allow such fees in the executors’ accounts, does not authorize the probate court to order…