Court Opinion

ID: 5377104
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-01-08 08:41:25.149009+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:30:04.679114
License: Public Domain

Per Curiam.

Action to enforce the terms of a written instrument, which provides for a share of the profits of defendant’s business, and for an accounting. '
The underlying purpose of the discussion between the parties , and their attorneys was for defendant to make payments out of the profits of the business for the personal benefit of Hoff-' mann’s widow during the period of eight years next succeeding her husband’s death. This was precisely what Hoffmann had done for his predecessor’s widow at the time he took over the business.
It clearly appears from the testimony and the documentary evidence: (1) that following these discussions the parties agreed that the payments which defendant was to make to Mrs. Hoffmann were to cease upon her death; (2) that the failure of t the written instrument so to provide was the result of mistake *614of defendant’s attorney; and (3) that at the time of the execution of "the written instrument Mrs. Hoffmann and her attorney knew this and also knew not only that the writing did not accurately express the intention of the defendant and his attorney as to the terms to he embodied therein, but knew what the intention was. Therefore, the instrument should be reformed to express the true intention of the parties and to provide that all payments to Mrs. Hoffmann thereunder terminate upon her death. (See Trenton Terra Cotta Co. v. Clay Shingle Co., 80 F. 46; Welles v. Yates, 44 N. Y. 525, 528; Restatement, Contracts, § 505.)
Plaintiffs in their reply admit that at the tinle of his death Hoffmann was indebted to defendant for money loaned in the sum of $55,000, plus 37%% of the profits of the business for the period from January 1, 1937, to the date of his death. At the time the discussions were had and the agreement made there never was any-dispute as to the validity or amount of this indebtedness. In fact, when Mr. McNamara, the widow’s attorney who conducted negotiations on her behalf, was asked if it | was his information that the indebtedness was valid, he replied: “ Yes, I verified that through Mrs. Hoffmann; she knew all about it.” That part of this admitted indebtedness might be barred by the Statute of Limitations was first suggested at the trial. It may well be that the indebtedness was a running-account in the Hoffmann business. In that event no part thereof came within the statute at the time the agreement was made.
While the net worth of Hoffmann’s estate does not appear, admittedly the estate was solvent and Hoffmann’s widow was the sole legatee. For aught that is shown by this record, the . estate was able to pay the total indebtedness due defendant, and it is impossible to tell from it whether Mrs. Hoffmann parted with anything of value when she assumed the estate’s indebtedness to defendant. With this factual background, the letter dated July 26, 1937, sent by Mr. McNamara to Mr. Sheldon, defendant’s attorney, is most significant and establishes that the parties agreed that the instrument should contain a pro-i vision that the payments to Mrs. Hoffmann were to terminate upon her death. That this was the intention further appears from the draft agreement, incorporating such a provision, prepared by Mr. McNamara and inclosed in his letter of July 26, 1937.
1 The following findings of fact are affirmed: 1 to 17, inclusive, 19 to 29, inclusive, 33 to 36, inclusive, 38, 40 to 42, inclusive, 46, 48 to 53, inclusive, 62, 65, 66, 68, 69 and 70. Finding No. 37 *615is modified by eliminating the words “ who were at all times during the pendency of such negotiations dealing at arm’s length ”, and as thus modified the finding is affirmed. Finding No. 39 is modified by eliminating everything following the words “ that the negotiations were continued ”, and as thus modified the finding is affirmed. Finding No. 43 is modified by eliminating the words “ and said two questions were treated as part of the same subject matter ”, and as thus modified the finding is affirmed. Finding No. 47 is modified by eliminating everything following the words “ Exhibit Gr ”, and as thus modified the finding is affirmed.
All other findings, namely, 18, 30, 31, 44, 45, 54 to 61, inclusive, 63, 64, 67 and 71 are reversed and not made.
All conclusions of law except Nos. 2 and 4 are reversed and disapproved. No. 2 is modified by eliminating the words “ in all its terms and provisions ”, and as thus modified it is approved and adopted. No. 4 is approved and adopted.
All defendant’s requests to find are adopted and findings made accordingly, with the exception of No. 71. No. 71 is modified by eliminating the words “ as a gratuitous contribution to said Anna E. Hoffmann ”, and as thus modified the request is adopted, and the finding made accordingly.
All defendant’s proposed conclusions of law are approved and adopted as conclusions of law, except Nos. 5 and 6, which are disapproved and not adopted.
The interlocutory judgment entered in favor of plaintiffs should be modified on' the law • and the facts as follows: By adding to the first decretal paragraph, after the date April 6, 1*940, the words 11 and that they have judgment therefor ”; by striking therefrom the second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth decretal paragraphs, and by adding thereto a paragraph proj viding that the defendant have judgment on the counterclaim and that the instrument in suit (Exhibit A, attached to the complaint) be reformed so as to include a provision that in case of the death of Anna E. Hoffmann prior to July 1, 1945, all her rights under the said instrument shall terminate as of the date of such death. As thus modified, the judgment should be affirmed, without costs.