Court Opinion

ID: 9728733
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 14:15:25.645047+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:25:51.579922
License: Public Domain

Billings, J.,
concurring in result. I concur with the majority that the jury verdict was purely advisory, and that the trial *198court had authority to disregard it. In affirming the trial court’s judgment decreeing a two-thirds interest to the plaintiff and a one-third interest to the defendant, the majority relies on the failure of the defendant to cross appeal.
In my view the appeal by the plaintiff from the final judgment brings the whole case up for appellate review, including all issues litigated below which affect the final decree, if they are briefed. V.R.A.P. 3(a); Brattleboro Chalet Motor Lodge, Inc. v. Thomas, 129 Vt. 405, 407, 279 A.2d 580, 581 (1971). See also Wells v. Village of Orleans, Inc., 132 Vt. 216, 315 A.2d 463 (1974). It appears from the record that the percentage of interest in the parties as surviving joint tenants was litigated below, acknowledged by the trial court in its findings of fact, and briefed and argued, with particular reference to whether the defendant’s interest was zero, fifteen percent, thirty-three and one-third percent or fifty percent. In view of this, I believe the issue was before this appellate court despite defendant’s failure to cross appeal.
Upon the death of one of three joint tenants, the two surviving joint tenants each acquire possession of the whole, and each has title only to his or her aliquot part. In re Estate of Boynton, 121 Vt. 98, 106, 148 A.2d 115, 120 (1959); State v. Parmelee, 115 Vt. 429, 437, 63 A.2d 203, 208 (1949); Kennedy v. Rutter, 110 Vt. 332, 340, 6 A.2d 17, 21 (1939). Presumptively, each would have a fifty percent interest, see Guilmette v. Franklin Realty Corp., 127 Vt. 130, 241 A.2d 323 (1968), there being the implication of full ownership in the survivor, Coolidge v. Coolidge, 130 Vt. 132, 133, 287 A.2d 566, 568 (1971). Based on the evidence and findings, and in the absence of a showing of any division contrary to the rule that each takes in equal parts from the deceased joint tenant, the court’s judgment was in error.
I concur, however, in the result only because on oral argument, and also in the conclusion of her brief, the defendant specifically requested that this Court affirm the trial court’s order decreeing her a one-third interest. By so doing, the defendant waived any further right of review. Essex Storage Electric Co. v. Victory Lumber Co., 93 Vt. 437, 445, 108 A. 426, 428 (1919); Fadden v. McKinney, 87 Vt. 316, 323, 89 A. 351, 355 (1914).
*199The action here was equitable in nature, being a petition for declaratory judgment, and the assistant judges should not have participated or signed the findings of fact and conclusions of law. Although we have held that in cases where the assistant judges participate it is mere surplusage, Kelly v. Rhodes, 136 Vt. 534, 535, 396 A.2d 130, 131 (1978), the trial court should scrutinize carefully each case and conform the bench to the rules, V.R.C.P. 83(1), since, upon proper showing, such participation could be prejudicial and reversible error.
I am authorized to indicate that Mr. Justice Hill joins in this opinion.