Case Name: Melcher Lumber Company, Respondent, vs. Gunderson, Appellant
Court: Wisconsin Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Wisconsin
Decision Date: 1927-04-05
Citations: 192 Wis. 571
Docket Number: 
Parties: Melcher Lumber Company, Respondent, vs. Gunderson, Appellant.
Judges: 
Reporter: Wisconsin Reports
Volume: 192
Pages: 571–574

Head Matter:
Melcher Lumber Company, Respondent, vs. Gunderson, Appellant.
March 11
April 5, 1927.
For the appellant there was a brief by Gad Jones of Wau-toma, attorney, and John J. Wood of Berlin, of counsel, and oral argument by Mr. Jones.
For the respondent there was a brief by Goggins, Braseau & Graves of Wisconsin Rapids, of counsel, and Chas. T. Taylor of Wautoma, attorney, and oral argument by Theo. W. Brazeau.

Opinion:
Rosenberry, J.
The defendant urges (1st) that the court was in error in finding that the guardian of an incompetent was personally liable to the plaintiff; and (2d) that, if so liable; the filing and prosecution of the claim against the estate of the deceased ward estops the plaintiff from now setting up the claim that the defendant is personally liable. There is also some controversy as to the amount of the claim. Included in the judgment is an item upon which the defendant was personally liable, being goods bought for himself in addition to that upon which it is claimed he is personally liable for goods purchased for the account of his ward. The amount of the judgment is in accordance with the findings and undisputed evidence.
The defendant contends that by filing the claim in county court plaintiff elected a remedy which bars it from recourse to any other remedy and therefore the plaintiff cannot maintain this action. It is manifest that the bringing of an action against one of two or more persons who are liable is not an election of remedy as to those against whom no suit is brought. It further appears from the facts in this case that the claim was filed against the estate of the deceased ward at the special request of the defendant. The claim made involves a misconception of what constitutes an election of remedies. See Rowell v. Smith, 123 Wis. 510, 102 N. W. 1.
It is the general rule that a guardian cannot by his contract bind either the person or the estate of his ward, and that on all contracts made by him in the interest of and for the benefit of the ward, whether for the support and maintenance of the ward or in the management of the ward's estate, the guardian is personally and solely liable. See 28 Corp. Jur. p. 1165, §281, and cases cited in note 90. To this rule there are exceptions, but the evidence produced in this case does not bring it within any of the exceptions. The evidence in this case indicates quite clearly that the plaintiff declined to extend credit to the incompetent or his estate, being fully aware of the fact that the estate was or might be insolvent. The defendant being primarily liable upon the account, he was not discharged by the acts of the plaintiff done at his request and for his benefit. Had the estate been solvent, the defendant might have paid the claim, taken credit for the payment in his accounting with the estate, or he might have done as he did do, request the plaintiff to file the account against the estate and have it allowed directly in a proper proceeding. Under the facts of this case there is no estoppel which operates to prevent plaintiff from maintaining that the defendant is personally liable. •
By the Court. — Judgment affirmed.