Opinion ID: 2532185
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Ejectment Count

Text: Penick argues that summary judgment was not proper on the Lodge's ejectment count because, he says, the undisputed evidence demonstrates that the Lodge did not have legal title to or possession of the property at the time it filed this action. Ala.Code 1975, § 6-6-280 ([T]he complaint [in an ejectment action] is sufficient if it alleges that the plaintiff was possessed of the premises or has the legal title thereto ... and that the defendant entered thereupon and unlawfully withholds and detains the same.); Atlas Subsidiaries of Fla., Inc. v. Kornegay, 288 Ala. 599, 601, 264 So.2d 158, 161 (1972) (noting that a statutory action in the nature of ejectment exists under two alternatives: The first such alternative is where the complaint alleges that the plaintiff was possessed of the premises and the defendant entered thereupon and unlawfully withholds and detains the same. The other alternative is where the complaint alleges that the plaintiff has the legal title to the lands and the defendant entered thereupon and unlawfully withholds and detains the same.); see also Cadle Co. v. Shabani, 950 So.2d 277, 279 (Ala.2006) ([T]o maintain an action for ejectment, a plaintiff must allege either possession or legal title . . . .). The Lodge argues, without citation to legal authority, that, at the time the action was filed, it held an equitable title to the property that was superior to Penick's legal title. Without citing legal authority, the Lodge further argues that proof that the Lodge held a superior equitable title at the time it filed the complaint for ejectment, coupled with proof of an immediate right to possession, is sufficient to entitle the Lodge to an order of ejectment. Butler, 871 So.2d at 20 (`[I]t is not the function of this Court to do a party's legal research or to make and address legal arguments for a party based on undelineated general propositions not supported by sufficient authority or argument.' (quoting Dykes, 652 So.2d at 251)). It is undisputed that, at the time the trial court entered the summary judgment, the Lodge did not have possession of, or legal title to, the property. Accordingly, the trial court's judgment in favor of the Lodge on the ejectment count is due to be reversed.