Opinion ID: 1267684
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: liability of wiglesworth for improper payments

Text: Wiglesworth contends that he should not have to repay the co-trustees for any of their improper distributions to him, because he relied on their superior expertise in making these distributions. We find no merit in this argument. Wiglesworth is liable for any money paid to him by mutual mistake, even though both parties were negligent in failing to ascertain whether these payments were proper. See City Nat. Bank of Norfolk v. Peed, 2 Va. Dec. 623, 628-29, 32 S.E. 34, 36 (1899); 13 S. Williston, § 1596. For the foregoing reasons, we will reverse those parts of the judgment which limited the period of Taylor's recovery and awarded the co-trustees' attorney's fees; we will affirm that part of the judgment awarding a recovery of sums erroneously paid Wiglesworth by the co-trustees; and we will remand the cause for further proceedings consistent with this opinion. Reversed in part, affirmed in part, and remanded.