Court Opinion

ID: 9588043
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 23:29:10.770755+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:00:56.822257
License: Public Domain

Rosellini, J.
(concurring) — I concur in the opinion of the majority with the understanding that the reversal of the award of attorney fees is founded upon either of two distinct circumstances: (1) the attorney fees were not incurred in defense of title, or (2) the grantor had no knowledge of the negotiations and settlement of the claim against title.
*650The warranty deed statute, RCW 64.04.030, essentially provides that the grantor warrants and will defend the grantee's title against all persons who may lawfully claim the same.
Our holding in the instant action does not refute the rule that reasonable attorney fees expended by covenantees/ grantees, in good faith to defend their title, are recoverable against the covenantor/grantor who has notice of the claim against title. See Foley v. Smith, 14 Wn. App. 285, 539 P.2d 874 (1975). The law is well established that reasonable attorney fees are recoverable as damages against the grantor of a warranty deed when those fees are incurred by the grantee in defending title and where the grantor has had notice of the pending action and has refused to defend. This award of attorney fees is limited to an action to cure or defend title, and the covenantee/grantee is not entitled to an additional award of attorney fees incurred in an action against the covenantor/grantor for breach of covenant. Espinoza v. Safeco Title Ins. Co., 598 P.2d 346 (Utah 1979); Bridges v. Heimburger, 360 So. 2d 929 (Miss. 1978). See also Flynn v. Allison, 97 Idaho 618, 549 P.2d 1065 (1976); 20 Am. Jur. 2d Covenants §§ 153-54 (1965); 21 C.J.S. Covenants § 150b (1940).
In the instant action, the award for attorney fees was not for those incurred in the action between the claimant and grantee, but those incurred in maintaining suit against the grantor, who was not given an opportunity to defend the title.
Consequently, there is no statutory or other recognized right to an award of attorney fees in this action.