Court Opinion

ID: 9573737
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 20:58:19.259024+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:43:13.620951
License: Public Domain

CURTIS, J., and HOUSER, J., Dissenting.
We dissent. We are unable to agree with the conclusion reached by the majority opinion reversing the judgment in this case. The statement of the appellant, testified to by the witness, J. C. Seaman, as to the purpose of his uncle in executing the safe deposit card and the two joint tenancy bank accounts, was binding upon him, and was clearly admissible to show the intent of the uncle in executing said instruments. (Fanning v. Green, 156 Cal. 279 [104 Pac. 308] ; Kyle v. Craig, 125 Cal. 107 [57 Pac. 791]; Wharton on Evidence, sees. 482, 508, 955; Snow v. Paine, 114 Mass. 520, 526; Barnhart v. Fulkerth, 93 Cal. 497, 499 [29 Pac. 50].) In the case of Kyle v. Craig, supra, p. 114, it is stated that, “It is earnestly contended that the court erred in allowing Bright to testify, under the objections of defendant, as to his intentions when he executed the *268deed and transfers of property to defendant. We think the testimony was competent and material. The intentions and motives of Bright were the material matters being investigated. ■ In such eases the universal rule is to receive the witness’ testimony as to his intentions.”
This evidence was sufficient to support the finding of the trial court that these documents were executed for the purpose of facilitating the settlement of the uncle’s estate and not as executed gifts in favor of appellant. It is true that this evidence is not undisputed but the trial court resolved the conflict therein in favor of the respondent. In addition to the above statement of appellant, his acts and conduct immediately subsequent to his uncle’s death tended to show that his understanding of his uncle’s intention in the execution of those documents was simply to facilitate the settlement of said estate. In our opinion the judgment of the trial court should be affirmed.
Rehearing denied. Houser, J., voted for a rehearing.