Court Opinion

ID: 9831185
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-01 20:53:34.044694+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:43:32.245770
License: Public Domain

On Motion for Rehearing.
[5] The lodge, in its motion for rehearing, claims that it is only liable in the sum of $300, stating that it was in error in admitting liability in the sum of $500, alleging that the policy sued on shows that it was issued November 27, 1910, and the pleadings show that Andrew Matthews, to whom it was issued, died November 11, 1911, and that the constitution of said Lodge provides that all policies issued on and after July 1, 1910, shall entitle the beneficiary to the minimum amount of $300 within the first 12 months of membership, based upon the date of issuance of policy; that in the case of death after 24 months from the date thereof the.beneficiary shall be entitled to $400; and that in case of death of insured after 36 months from the date of policy the beneficiary shall be entitled to $500. Wherefore it prays that judgment be reformed, and entered against it for the sum of $300 only, and that this court adjudge the amount due it as attorney’s fees.
This contention was not made in the court below, nor in this court until now; but, on the contrary, its liability to the extent of $500 was expressly admitted, both in the trial court and in the brief of its counsel, and that amount was paid into the registry of the court, for which reason we think the question cannot now be raised.
In addition to this, it is evident from the affidavits attached to appellants’ resistance to this motion, as well as the pleadings in the case, that the original certificate, which seems to have been lost, was issued in 1905, and therefore the supposed copy thereof used in evidence by agreement must have been incorrect as to its date. Besides this, there is no pleading which would authorize such a change, even if there was sufficient evidence to support the allegations of the motion in this respect.
[6] Since counsel for appellees concur in the request that we fix the amount of attorney’s fees to which the lodge may be entitled, we have concluded to do so, and now here fix the same at the sum of $50.
The motion, therefore, asking that the judgment be reduced in amount is overruled, but is granted as to fixing the amount of attorney’s fees. It follows, from what we have said, that the judgment heretofore entered, reversing the case, with instructions to the trial court, should be, and the same is now hereby, set aside, and said judgment of the trial court is now here reversed and rendered in favor of appellants against said lodge for the sum of $500, the amount of said policy, less $50, attorney’s fees, and court costs, and direct that as between appellants and Georgia Johnson Matthews the costs so awarded the Grand Lodge are adjudged against her in favor of appellants.
Reversed and rendered.