Leach v. Forney

i. specific SSípífaconveyl iu anoe This cause was not argued- orally, nor have we been so fortunate as to find an argument in print or writing or even a brief of points and authorities. It seems that the only legitimate question presented by the record in the case, is, whether a vendor of x-eal estate may avoid a specific performance of his covenant to convey a good and sufficient title, by showing that his wife, who is entitled to dower therein, refuses to join in the conveyance or relixxquish hex-dower in any mannex-.

It appears to have been the earlier practice-of courts of equity to specifically enforce such contx-acts, axid to require the husband to procure the conveyance by the wife and to imprison him until he did perform his covenant by so doing. Hall v. Hardy, 3 Pierre Williams, 189; Morris v. Stephenson, 7 Vesey, 471 and cases cited. This ruliixg was based upon the presumption that the husband had, before he entered into the covenant, first gained the wife’s consent fox- that purpose. Story’s Eq. Jur., § 731-735 and authorities cited.

*273Mr. Justice’ Story, while conceding that there are many precedents for. this ruling, most strongly dissents from it upon principle, and cites in support of his views the opinion of Lord Eldon in Emery v. Wase, 8 Vesey, 514. See also cases cited to section 734 of Story’s Eq. Jur. But there are some cases which have gone far beyond the doctrine, as claimed by Judge Stort, and hold that the vendee cannot compel the specific performance of a contract for the sale of land, if the vendor is a married man, and his wife refuses to sign the deed. Hanna v. Phillips, 1 Grant’s cases (Penn.), 253, and cases cited; Geager v. Burns, 4 Minn., 141; Weed v. Terry, 2 Doug., 344; see also Clark V. Reins, 12 Gratt., 98.

The true rule, we apprehend, in cases like the present, is, to give to the vendee the option of accepting performance by the husband to the extent of his ability, and the retention of so much of the purchase-money as shall be proportionate to the utmost possible outstanding or contingent interest not certainly conveyed to him without interest, until the title is perfected; or to refuse such partial title and have his damages for the breach of contract. Troutman v. Gowing, 16 Iowa, 415. If the vendee accepts the partial title,' the vendor ought to have the proportionate consideration therefor.- Nor ought the vendee to be compelled to part with his mpney, except upon receiving the title; he ought not to be required to accept the personal covenant of any person in lieu of the title, though he may do so if he choose, and the defendant consents to give it; and in this case we do not understand the plaintiff as objecting.

The transcript in this case -shows that the defendant was married at the time of the coritract of sale arid at-the date fixed for conveyance. As no subsequent statute can enlarge* the dower interest in' this particular real estate, to the prejudice of the purchaser, the plaintiff, and as *274that interest as then and now fixed by statute is one-third in fee (vide Laws of 1862, p. 173), the plaintiff should be permitted, in case he accepts the conveyance by the husband alone, to withdraw and retain one-third of the entire purchase price until the title is perfected, without interest, a lien being reserved on the land for the unpaid purchase price;. or he may, if he choose, and the defendant assent, pay the same over and take personal security therefore, as provided by the decree.

The judgment of the District Court will be modified so as to accord with this opinion, and will be remanded, to afford plaintiff-' an opportunity to- elect his relief.

The appellees will pay,costs in this court.

Modified and affirmed.