Court Opinion

ID: 9442440
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-03 18:48:32.284938+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:29:06.108638
License: Public Domain

MILLER, Circuit Judge
(dissenting in part).
Since the facts in this case are undisputed and the Kentucky law applicable thereto is, in my opinion, well settled, I am unable to agree with the conclusion of the majority opinion that the claim of Appellant Anna C. Alt is more than 'color-able and should be disposed of in a plenary suit.
Section 404.020 Kentucky Revised Statute, which controls the decision in this case, provides that a transfer “of personal property between husband and wife shall not be valid as to third persons, unless it is in writing, and acknowledged and recorded, * * Under this statute it is not necessary for a complaining creditor to prove insolvency on the part of the husband or an intent on his part to delay, hinder or defraud creditors, as is required under Section 378.010, Kentucky Revised Statutes. In this case it is undisputed that we have a transfer of property between husband and wife which was not in writing or recorded. If it be treated as a transfer of stock it is an invalid transfer under the decisions of the Kentucky Court of Appeals. Security Bank v. Zimlich’s Ex., 261 Ky. 560, 88 S.W.2d 286; Moore v. Pope, 285 Ky. 125, 147 S.W.2d 67. A transfer of tangible personal property has likewise been held invalid under the statute. Thomson v. Dennis’ Ex., 282 Ky. 352, 138 S.W.2d 490. Both tangible and intangible personal property are covered by those cases. I am of the opinion that a transfer of money from husband to wife, if the transaction herein involved be so regarded, is without question a transfer of “personal property” within the terms of the statute and controlled by the cases referred to.
The case of Courtney v. Shea, 6 Cir., 225 F. 358, relied upon by appellant, involved a different section of the Kentucky Statutes, and, in any event, is contrary to our later ruling in In re Knott, 6 Cir., 134 F.2d 833, wherein summary proceedings were approved.
I am of the opinion that the claim o£ Mrs. Alt was merely colorable and properly adjudicated by summary proceedings.