Court Opinion

ID: 9673892
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 04:20:06.751361+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:16:24.530739
License: Public Domain

McGIVERIN, Justice
(concurring in part and dissenting in part).
I concur in Divisions I, II and IV of the court’s opinion and respectfully dissent from the result reached in Division III.
The court allows Arlene Tollefsrud’s claims against the estate for one-half of the $14,000 promissory note, signed by her and the decedent and secured by a second 'mortgage in her favor on real estate owned by Arlene and decedent as joint tenants. In addition, the court allows her a contribution of one-half the amount of the first mortgage loan and property taxes on the real estate. When Truman Tollefsrud died, Arlene became sole owner of the realty as surviving joint tenant. ,
Although the majority primarily decides Arlene’s entitlement to one-half of the $14,-000 promissory note on the basis of equity, I find equitable consideration suggests a contrary result. The recovery of one-half the debt owed plus the collateral itself gives Arlene a windfall. While the note may have protected her financial interest in the $14,000 mortgage payment, the majority extends Arlene the benefits of protecting her financial investment along with recovery of the entire collateral.
I find persuasive the view of those courts that emphasize the lack of benefit to the estate after the surviving joint tenant acquires exclusive ownership of the realty, and the concept that the one, Arlene, receiving the benefits of the property should accept its burdens, the mortgages, and taxes. Florio v. Greenspan, 340 Mass. 642, 165 N.E.2d 753, 755 (1960). See generally, 76 A.L.R.2d 1004, 1006, 1010-1012. Accordingly, Arlene should be denied contribution from the estate relative to the mortgages and taxes.
LeGRAND and UHLENHOPP, JJ., join in this dissent.