Court Opinion

ID: 7185463
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-07-24 16:52:01.787846+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:16:03.397585
License: Public Domain

Spoffoed, J.
The defendants by intermeddling in the succession of their deceased son, Wesley L. Bwgess, are admitted to have made themselves liable unconditionally as his heirs.
The plaintiffs paid to the holder, at maturity, a promissory note made by Wesley L. Bwrgess, for $1,000. This suit was brought for a reimbursement of that sum.
It is true, as contended by the defendants and appellants, that the payment by plaintiffs on behalf of the maker extinguished the note ; but this suit is not founded upon the note, but upon the implied obligation of the defendants to indemnify the plaintiffs.
When a stranger to a note pays it for the honor of the maker the law implies an obligation on the part of the maker to reimburse him There is no presumption of a gift in such a case, and the doctrine of Rohrbacker v. Schilling, 12 An. 17, is inapplicable.
The plaintiff prayed for a judgment against the defendants in solido. They are sued as heirs, and each is liable only for a virile portion of the debt. The judgment having been rendered as prayed for, must be amended in this respect.
It is, therefore, ordered, that the judgment of the District Court be amended so as to render William Bwrgess, in his personal capacity, and Mrs. Elizabeth Bwrgess, liable each for one-half thereof, and that in all other respects, the said judgment be affirmed ; the costs of this appeal to be borne by the plaintiffs and appellees.