Powers v. Kleven
Powers v. Kleven
Opinion of the Court
The plaintiff’s petition shows that the property conveyed to him by the defendant is rectangular in shape, that the defendant owns the property on three sides of such property, and that the fourth side is a “right-of-way” designated by the defendant. The plaintiff seeks to have declared whether or not the defendant can claim title to the “right-of-way” so as to prevent its use by the plaintiff, and whether the plaintiff has a right to erect electric wires over the “right-of-way.” He also seeks to have declared whether the contract entered into between the parties is a valid contract, and, if
“ ‘While our declaratory-judgment statute itself says that it should be liberally construed, it manifestly was never intended to be applicable to every occasion or question arising from any justiciable controversy, since the statute does not take the place of existing remedies. It therefore follows that where there exists a remedy, either in law or in equity, a petition for declaratory judgment will lie only when there be some fact or circumstances which necessitate a determination of disputes, not merely for the purpose of enforcing accrued rights, but in order to guide and protect the petitioner from uncertainty and insecurity with respect to the propriety of some future act or conduct which is properly incident to his alleged rights, and which future action without such direction might reasonably jeopardize his interest. Shippen v. Folsom, 200 Ga. 58 (35 S. E. 2d 915); Clein v. Kaplan, 201 Ga. 396 (40 S. E. 2d 133); 1 C. J. S. 1027, § 18; 16 Am. Jur. 280, 286, §§ 7 and 13.’ Mayor &c. of Athens v. Gerdine, 202 Ga. 197 (42 S. E. 2d 567). See also Georgia Marble Co. v. Tucker, 202 Ga. 390 (43 S. E. 2d 245).” Sumner v. Davis, 211 Ga. 702 (1) (88 S. E. 2d 392). See also Savannah Theatres Co. v. First Federal Savings &c. Assn. 93 Ga. App. 487 (92 S. E. 2rd 217), and U.S. Casualty Co. v. Ga. &c. Ry. Co., 95 Ga. App. 100 (97 S. E. 2d 185), and cases cited. “In the present case the petition does not allege that the petitioner is without an adequate remedy at law or in equity, but on the contrary it is clear that he has an adequate remedy at law. Whatever rights the parties have are accrued already, and no facts or circumstances are alleged that show that an adjudication of their rights is necessary in order to relieve them from the risk of taking any future undirected action incident to their rights, which action without direction might jeopardize their interest.” Peoples v. Bass, 93 Ga. App. 71 (3) (90 S. E. 2d 926).
Whatever the rights of the parties are in the present case they are rights which have already accrued, for as stated in the plaintiff’s petition: “The plaintiff would be able to comply with the terms of the aforementioned contract were it not for the
Judgment reversed.
Concurring Opinion
concurring specially. The petition is defective in that it does not allege that there is no remedy in law or equity that will be as adequate and complete as a declaration of plaintiff’s rights. However, if such an allegation were to be added I think the petition would still be subject to demurrer for the reason that the petition does not allege that the contract attached to the petition was based on a valid consideration. On its face it appears to be based on a past consideration and not a present consideration agreed on by the parties at the time of the execution of the deed, whether it was embodied in the deed or not. If it should be alleged by amendment that the contract was based on a valid consideration I think the petition would set out a good cause of action for a declaratory judgment. The petition sets forth that Lewis E. Powers executed and delivered to T. L. Kleven, by warranty deed dated March 31, 1956, a parallelogram 121 feet by 295 feet. The deed provided, “There shall be built on said property a one-family dwelling of no less than 1540 square feet of living area, excluding all porches, basements, car ports or garages.” The deed made no reference to any consideration other than that recited in the deed and was a legal warranty deed with the exception of the restriction as to the dwelling to be built thereon.
The contract involved in this action, dated April 15, 1956, is
“Parties to this instrument contract and agree that this instrument contains the whole agreement as between themselves, and that any change or additions or corrections shall not be binding on either parties unless reduced to writing.
“Witness our hands and seals this 15th day of April, 1956.
“s/ Lewis E. Powers (L. S.)
Party of the First Part
“s/ T. L. Eleven (L. S.)
Party of the Second Part.”
The prayers of the petition in addition to prayers for process are as follows:
“b. That this court consider, declare and adjudicate the respective rights of the parties litigant hereto as to the following questions: 1. Whether said contract, not supported by a separate consideration is valid so as to bind the parties thereto: 2. If said contract is held to be valid: (a) Whether said contract is valid to alter the rights of the parties under the deed, (b) Whether, though valid, there are any provisions under the contract, uncomplied with, which can still bind plaintiff. 3. Whether said contract can be interpreted to be a part of said deed, (a) Whether, if so held, defendant by his actions can be enjoined from exercising any equitable right to a decree for specific performance of said contract thereby compelling plaintiff to resell the land to him at the stated price, (b) Whether, if so held, said contract should be interpreted as a covenant or as a condition subsequent. 4. Whether de
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.