Court Opinion

ID: 5565849
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-01-11 01:00:05.188807+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:35:36.429343
License: Public Domain

In 1893 Mrs. Hardy sued Mrs. Marvin as executrix de son tort of G-. W. Marvin. Tbe petition was dismissed on demurrer. It shows, in brief, the following: September 15, 1866, plaintiff’s aunt, Mrs. Pitts, made and delivered to plaintiff', or to her mother for her, a deed to lots on Broad and Marietta streets, Atlanta, Ga. Mrs. Pitts married Marvin, living with him until her death, which occurred prior to August 28, 1888. She had remained in possession of the property conveyed to plaintiff, and after her death Marvin took possession and *682retained control of it. Plaintiff then sued him in Fulton superior court to recover the property. He answered, and. a trial was had upon an application for injunction and receiver; whereupon he settled the case with her by making a deed to her for the Broad street lot and delivering possession, at the same time agreeing orally, as a part of the consideration of the compromise, that he would make his will and therein devise to her the Marietta street lot, so that at his death she would be the owner of it in fee. Before said suit he had been on intimate and friendly terms with plaintiff'; and after the suit was pending he made friends with her, and represented to her that he was very anxious to treat her rightly, that she was about the only relative of his deceased wife that he cared anything for, that he had always and then entertained most friendly feelings toward her and wanted to see her prosper, that he was growing old, had heart trouble and could not expect to live long, that he was willing she should have the Broad street lot immediately, but he wanted to own and retain possession of the Marietta street lot as long as he lived, the rents of which with his other property would render him comfortable in his age, and he would cheerfully will it to her. He said the matter could be closed in that way, and would be perfectly legal; insisting that she should make the settlement with him without consulting any one, as he was offering to do the square thing and would take no advantage of her, that he had a good and honorable lawyer who would draw the papers in legal shape, and that it would be much better for her than to go further and take the risk of losing all in the end. Thus by his flattei'ing promises he induced her to make the settlement without the knowledge or consent of her counsel, in fact stating that if her counsel knew of the settlement they might advise her against it to her injury. She had renewed confidence *683in him, believed he would do as he promised, and relying on his promises made the settlement, with no writing but the deed to the Broad street lot. She did not know that a written agreement to will her the Marietta street lot was necessary; he represented that it was unnecessary, and she believed what he said. If the oral agreement was not good, he perpetrated a fraud on her by his representations. He had his lawyer to take a consent verdict and decree (copy of which is attached) whereby the deed to the Broad street lot and the title thereto were confirmed in her, in satisfaction of all her claims against him or any of the realty described in the pleadings ; and whereby all other issues were settled in his favor, and especially was the title to the Marietta street lot and other pieces of property confirmed in him. Notice of this compromise was brought to her counsel, who agreed to the verdict and decree, but without knowledge of the agreement to will the Marietta street lot to her. After this settlement, which was in November, 1888, Marvin married again, moved to Dooly county, and there died intestate in 1891. Before his death he sold the Marietta street lot to an innocent purchaser, and his widow has converted the proceeds of this sale to her own use, and is liable to plaintiff for the value of the same.
Simmons & Corri&an and Busbee & Crum, for plaintiff.
Allen Fort, for defendant.