Lee v. Lee
Lee v. Lee
Opinion of the Court
Booker T. Lee brought an equitable petition against seven named persons, six of whom were his brothers, sisters, nephews, and nieces, residing without the State of Georgia; the other defendant, Boy W. Crockett, being a resident of Bibb County, where this suit was filed. Petitioner alleges that during his mother’s lifetime she was unable to pay her debts, and that he from time to time advanced money therefor, and also joined in the execution of a security deed to a creditor, the de
As to reformation, petitioner does not allege that there was any understanding or agreement between himself and the holder of the security deed whereby the latter was to transfer the same to him upon payment of the debt secured by it, or that there was any mutual mistake, or deceit or fraud; he merely alleging that “it was through petitioner's ignorance that he accepted an order for cancellation instead of a transfer of said security deed.” And the petitioner waited four years before bringing this petition praying for a reformation. The petition was demurred to on the grounds, among others, that no substantial relief was prayed for against Crockett, the sole defendant who resides in the county where the suit was brought, and that the facts alleged do not show that the plaintiff is entitled to reformation; also upon the ground of laches. The court sustained the general demurrer, but did not pass on the grounds of special demurrer.
The rulings in headnotes 1 and 2, showing that no cause of action is set forth against the defendant Crockett, require no elaboration.
We must therefore consider whether or not a cause of action is stated against the other defendants. They being all non-residents, the suit could be maintained in Bibb County 'where the land is situated, although no cause of action is stated against the defendant residing in that county, and the case might have been dismissed as to him upon a proper special demurrer. But as against the other defendants it is distinctly alleged that they were the grantees in a deed executed in March, 1934. While the deed which placed the title in them was a quitclaim deed, the title was as effectually placed in them by such a deed as if it had been a warranty deed; and it placed it in them as against the plaintiff, although he was actually in possession of the land. But no lien in his favor had been created, and the security deed to the former creditor, Crockett, had not been transferred to him. And it
Judgment affirmed.
Concurring Opinion
I concur in the judgment of affirmance, but I do not concur in all that is said in the opinion. The judge properly sustained the general demurrer to the petition. Boiling down the allegations of the petition in considering it upon demurrer, the story is extremely short. No reason whatever is given why the petitioner thought or had any reason to think that the paper handed to him by Crockett was an assignment of Crockett’s rights to the petitioner. It is not alleged that the petitioner could neither read nor write, and his palpable negligence in failing to read the paper delivered to him by Crockett thereafter barred him from reformation or recovery.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- LEE v. LEE
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- Published