Court Opinion

ID: 9766956
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-29 05:04:30.669111+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:30:27.441856
License: Public Domain

On Motion for Rehearing
PER CURIAM.
In his motion for rehearing the defendant asserts that title to real estate is not involved and that this court does not have jurisdiction of the appeal. In his appellate brief the defendant suggested that this court was without jurisdiction because title to real estate “would not seem to be involved.” The suggestion was given attention and the opinion recites factors which demonstrate that this court has jurisdiction although the conclusion was not drawn. Regardless of the plaintiffs’ petition, the defendant’s cross bill and the relief granted thereunder confers exclusive jurisdiction on this court.
The first sentence of the opinion states that this is an equity action “to determine title” to land. The prayer of the cross bill was for an order “reforming the deed” and for a decree “quieting title” in the defendant. The trial court found and decreed that the parcel of land in dispute “is owned by the defendants-” and reformed the warranty deed accordingly. Unquestionably, title to real estate is directly involved and this court has exclusive appellate jurisdiction. Numerous cases so hold; among the more recent ones are Kauflin v. Turek, Mo., 277 S.W.2d 540, 542 [1], Dillard v. Dillard, Mo., 266 S.W.2d 570, 572 and Tayler v. Tayler, Mo., 243 S.W.2d 310, 312 [1]. See also notes 232 and 233 to Art. 5, § 3, of the Missouri Constitution, 2 V.A.M.S., pp. 117-118. Where the trial court finds the fact of title and purports to adjudicate and determine title, the action involves title to real estate regardless of the form of action and jurisdiction of the appeal is vested in the Supreme Court. Albi v. Reed, Mo., 281 S.W.2d 882, 884 [4].
The other matters specified in the motion for rehearing or, in the alternative, to transfer to the court en hanc have been considered and adequately covered by the opinion. It would serve no useful purpose to restate or augment those discussions. Accordingly the motion for rehearing or, in the alternative,- to transfer to the court en banc is overruled.