Court Opinion

ID: 9537767
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 07:22:54.4655+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:56:58.390893
License: Public Domain

KEETON, Justice
(dissenting).
In the proceeding being considered the widower, Allen J. Cronk, is not here complaining of an expenditure or gift of community funds by the wife during her lifetime. The insurance policy is payable to respondent and appellant is not in a position to raise the question of the source of funds used to pay the premiums on the policy. The husband knew of the change of beneficiary, made no complaint, and the premiums paid were too trivial, even if community funds were expended, to warrant the application of the doctrine that the wife was giving away, or attempting to give away, or dissipating community property over the husband’s objection. The surviving husband is not now objecting, and appellant is claiming the right to object for him.
If appellant has any claim against anyone, it is against Cronk to whom it paid the insurance. One cannot pay a third person a debt owed to another and assert such payment as a defense when claim is made by the party to whom it is due. Respondent was not a party to the transaction in which appellant paid the proceeds of the policy to Cronk, and appellant is not in a position to assert the defense attempted. The affirmative matter alleged is no defense to the action.
In my opinion the rulings of the trial court were correct. The judgment should be affirmed.