Court Opinion

ID: 9583413
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 22:38:20.39229+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:39:00.279400
License: Public Domain

Weltner, Justice,
dissenting.
The jury’s verdict established an implied trust against an adult sister in favor of her younger brothers, ages nine and twelve, in lands which were formerly owned by their mother.
1. The decedent, Mrs. Montgomery, created by will a trust for the benefit of all three of her children — the two minor sons and Mrs. Fowler, her adult daughter. The will provided that the remainder of her estate, which included the farm in question, would be divided equally among the beneficiaries when the youngest child reached twenty-one years of age. During her life, Mrs. Montgomery continually expressed concern about the boys, seeking assurance that Mrs. Fowler would provide for them. On several other occasions, she expressed her desire that the farm be divided equally among her three children.
After the mother’s death, Mrs. Fowler and the two boys lived on the farm, where she saw to their care and support, and stated that each of the boys had a one-third interest in the farm.
Mrs. Fowler, as executrix and trustee, paid from the estate the sum of $4,000 for ad valorem taxes on the farm — the sum thus paid being deducted from funds in which each of the boys had a one-third interest.
The three children continued this arrangement until a family argument arose, whereupon Mrs. Fowler claimed the farm in its entirety, to the exclusion of her young brothers.
Based upon this evidence, the jury found a constructive trust in favor of the boys.
2. To set aside that verdict is contrary to my understanding of our responsibilities. “It was not the proper function of the trial court in passing upon the motion, nor is it this court’s function on appeal, to decide whether or not the evidence of such an agreement is ‘clear and convincing’ as this determination is for the jury. The parties are entitled to introduce, and the jury is entitled to consider, as tending to prove the intention of the parties, evidence relating to the nature *121and circumstances of the transactions and the conduct and declarations of the parties. These principles are well rooted in our jurisprudence. [Cits.] Respected legal commentators agree with these views. [Cits.]” Epps v. Wood, 243 Ga. 835, 839 (2) (257 SE2d 259) (1979), as quoted in Conner v. Conner, 250 Ga. 27, 28 (295 SE2d 739) (1982).
Decided March 15, 1985.
Russell, McWhorter & Adamson, T. Penn McWhorter, John E. Stell, Jr., for appellant.
N. David Wages, for appellee.
The jury’s verdict being based upon a sufficiency of evidence, it should not be disturbed.
Accordingly, I dissent.