In re Starr

United States District Court for the Northern District of California
In re Starr, 232 F. 416 (1916)
1916 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 1675

In re Starr

Opinion of the Court

DOOLING, District Judge.

Judge. The claim of Josephine Starr, wife of the bankrupt, for $2,531.40, supported by the promissory note of the bankrupt, executed in 1911, having been disallowed by the referee, she seeks a review of the order of disallowance. The claim was not disallowed in terms, but was made subordinate to the claims of other creditors, which, owing to the paucity of funds, will result in her receiving no dividend. The claim, evidenced by the note, is for services rendered by the wife in the business of her husband, and its bona fides is not questioned by the referee, nor apparently. by the trustee. The Civil Code of this state (section 158) permits husband and wife to enter into contracts of this kind, and I know no reason why this claim should not stand as any other claim would for like services. There is nothing in the marital relation which would compel a wife to. work in her husband’s store without compensation, nor anything in the record here which would in good faith estop the claimant from presenting her claim.

The order postponing the claim is therefore reversed.

Reference

Full Case Name
In re STARR
Status
Published