Opinion ID: 1863568
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Conversion-of-Chattel Claim

Text: Count VI alleges that Waddell, Georgia, and Virginia's estate wrongfully converted by sale, in defiance of Charlie's vested ownership rights, approximately 150 head of cross-bred Angus cattle that Charlie says belong to him. Charlie contends that Virginia gave the cattle to him as payment for services rendered in tending and developing the herd. Charlie supports this claim with his own affidavit, the affidavit of his wife, and that of Irene Glover. In response, the defendants do not argue that Charlie does not own the cattle, but instead contend that the complaint fails to allege how Charlie obtained an ownership interest in the cattle. They next argue that Charlie's statement that Virginia gave him the cattle shortly before her death would not be admissible because of Alabama's Dead Man's Statute, Ala.Code 1975, § 12-21-163. Finally, they argue that a transfer of the cattle, as Charlie describes it, violates the requirements for a testamentary disposition of property under Ala.Code 1975, § 43-8-131. First, we note that § 43-8-131, which requires that a testamentary disposition be in writing signed by the testator and at least two witnesses, does not apply in relation to this claim. Charlie does not contend that Virginia gave him the cattle as a gift or through any will. Rather, he claims that Virginia gave him the cattle in payment for services rendered to her. The payment of compensation for services rendered has no relation to the requirements of § 43-8-131. Although we conclude that the Dead Man's Statute, § 12-21-163, would prohibit any testimony by Charlie and his wife with regard to any statements made by Virginia about the alleged transfer of cattle to Charlie, the statute does not affect the affidavit of Irene Glover, who is not an interested party as to the conversion claim. Thus, we hold that Charlie supported this claim with substantial evidence and that questions of material fact remain. The trial court erred in entering the summary judgment as to this claim.