Case Name: SAINSEVAIN v. LUCE et al.
Court: Supreme Court of California
Jurisdiction: California
Decision Date: 1894-02-28
Citations: 4 Cal. Unrep. 496
Docket Number: No. 19,274
Parties: SAINSEVAIN v. LUCE et al.
Judges: 
Reporter: California Unreported Cases
Volume: 4
Pages: 496–498

Head Matter:
SAINSEVAIN v. LUCE et al.
No. 19,274;
February 28, 1894.
35 Pac. 1033.
Guardian—Suit on Note in His Own Name.—Though the code provides that a guardian must sue in the name of his ward, a payee of a note who is described as “guardian” may sue in his own name, in the absence of evidence of a ward or trust estate.
Mortgage—Attorney Fees.—Where a Mortgage Secures in terms only the principal and interest of a note, a lien cannot be had for attorneys’ fees, though the note provides for them.
APPEAL from Superior Court, San Diego County; W. L. Pierce, Judge.
Action by Paul Sainsevain against M. A. Luce, C. S. Luce and Olive B. Montania to foreclose a mortgage. Judgment for plaintiff, and defendants appeal.
Modified.
Luce & McDonald for appellants; Sweet, Sloane & Kirby for respondent.

Opinion:
TEMPLE, C.
This appeal is upon the judgment-roll. The suit is to foreclose a mortgage, which is fully set out in the complaint. It recites that the mortgage is given to secure the payment of $20,000, with interest, according to the terms of a promissory note, "in the words and figures following." The note is then set out, and is as follows:
"2,000. San Diego, Cal, Aug. 19, 1890.
"Two years after date, without grace, for value received, I promise to pay to the order of Paul Sainsevain, guardian, the sum of two thousand dollars, with interest thereon from this date until payment, at the rate of eleven per cent, per annum, payable quarterly; and, if not so paid, then to become part of the principal of this note, and to bear like rate of interest till paid; both principal and interest to be paid in United States gold coin. And I further agree that, in the event of suit being brought against me, then there shall be added to any judgment against me rendered in said suit, as counsel fees, an additional sum of ten per centum, in like gold coin, upon the amount of the principal and interest thereof accrued at the time of the entry of such judgment; or, if paid before judgment and after action commenced, then on the amount at date of payment.
" [Signed] M. A. LUCE."
The mortgage then contains a covenant that, in case of default in payment of interest, the whole sum of principal and interest shall become due. This, with a description of the property mortgaged, constitutes the entire mortgage.
Appellant first contends that the plaintiff cannot maintain this action because the note is payable to him as guardian, and, under our code, a guardian cannot maintain an action in his own name, but suit must be in the name of the ward. But the description of the payee as guardian, in the absence of any showing that there was a ward or a trust estate, does not show that the money did not belong to plaintiff. There is nothing in the mortgage or complaint which would justify a finding that the plaintiff is not the proper party to bring suit. If the defendant had answered averring that the note belonged to a ward of plaintiff, the description would have materially contributed to strengthen any proofs he may have had, but, standing alone, it is of no consequence.
It is next objected that the mortgage was not given to secure an attorney's fee, and that it was error to give plaintiff a lien for that. In this respect I think the decree is erroneous, and must be modified. A mortgage is but a contract for a lien, and is whatever the parties make it. This mortgage in terms only secures the payment of $2,000, and interest, and cannot, by implication or otherwise, be construed to give a lien for the attorney's fee: Clemens v. Luce, 101 Cal. 432, 35 Pac. 1032.
Respondent does not claim that he is at least entitled to a personal judgment in ease he is denied a lien for the attorney's fee. It is therefore not necessary to determine whether such relief might be obtained in this suit. I think the decree should be modified by deducting therefrom the amount of the attorney's fee allowed.
We concur: Vanclief, C.; Haynes, C.
PER CURIAM.
For the reasons given in the foregoing opinion, it is ordered that the decree be modified by deducting therefrom the sum of $200, the amount of the attorney's fee therein allowed, and, as so modified, the judgment appealed from is affirmed.