Opinion ID: 1896318
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: whether the amended claim impermissibly modified the character of the original claim.

Text: ¶ 11. The chancellor allowed Phillips to amend his claim to show that the memorandum agreement may have been modified by a subsequent oral agreement, unless prohibited by the statute of frauds. The Estate argues that the amended claim modified the original claim and Phillips should not have been allowed to amend. While a claimant may amend his claim against an estate, [w]here the amendment increases the amount of the claim, sets up a new cause of action, and materially changes the basis of the claim, it is not allowable. It is permissible only if it does not amount to a new claim, but is merely an improvement or perfection of one presented in time but lacking certain elements necessary to express its full merits. 34 C.J.S. Executors and Administrators § 417 (quoted in Cent. Optical Merch. Co. v. Lowe's Estate, 249 Miss. 61, 160 So.2d 673, 678 (1964)). ¶ 12. Phillips' original claim was based upon the memorandum agreement. As the chancellor found, Phillips did not include with his probated claim any signed `statement of the claim in writing' relying instead upon the subject written agreement and an itemized but unsigned account which he attached to his sworn claim. The amended claim stated as follows: To the extent the written agreement Dated December 15, 1997 was an attempt to reduce their agreement to writing, Fitzner and Phillips had a separate oral agreement that was never reduced to writing. Alternatively, Fitzner and Phillips orally modified their agreement of December 15, 1997, when Fitzner on many occasions orally promised Phillips if Phillips would infuse more of his personal cash into the business, Fitzner would personally repay Phillips for all unequal cash advances ever made by Phillips to the business with interest compounded monthly at a rate of 1 1/2 percent above New York prime. ¶ 13. The amendment does not substantially modify the character of the original claim. While the original claim made no mention of any oral modifications, and the memorandum agreement was merely attached as an exhibit to show the existence of the debt, the amount allegedly due to Phillips remained the same and the basis of the claim (the disproportionate cash advances) was not modified.