Opinion ID: 1725011
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Enrichment

Text: There must be an enrichment. A-Second by the dation en paiement executed on October 18, 1966 acquired the Edmonston house and lot for a recited consideration of $5,178.24the balance due on the Edmonston obligation to A-Secondand the assumption by A-Second of the balance due on the first mortgage to Standard in the sum of $14,512.87, a total $19,691.11 paid for a property valued by Standard's appraisers at $24,100. Thus, when Mrs. Edmonston discharged the $14,512.87 obligation to Standard, A-Second was relieved of the payment of that debt which it had assumed and therefore A-Second's patrimony was enriched to that extent. There is no merit to A-Second's contention that it acquired the Edmonston property subject to the encumbrances and for that reason it was entitled to all benefits derived from the life policies since it paid the premiums. At the time of the dation, no contract was entered into which would entitle A-Second to the proceeds of the life insurance. There was, moreover, no legal requirement between Mrs. Edmonston and A-Second that Mrs. Edmonston discharge A-Second's obligation to pay the mortgage note due Standard. To the contrary, A-Second had, by the dation, given the Edmonstons full acquittance and discharge of all encumbrances affecting the property. That is to say, Mrs. Edmonston owed A-Second nothing, still A-Second was the beneficiary of $14,512.87 when Mrs. Edmonston paid the mortgage note held by Standard. Thereby A-Second received a benefit they had never bargained for, the discharge of its obligation to Standard. To that extent A-Second was unquestionably enriched and in our view the case falls within the meaning of enrichment as that term is contemplated by the actio de in rem verso.