Gray v. Gray
Gray v. Gray
Opinion of the Court
The opinion of the court was delivered by
This is an action by the widow and minor child of Clarence L. Gray, deceased, to set aside a deed to an undivided half interest in certain real property, executed by Clarence L. Gray and wife shortly before his death, to his brother, Ralph Gray, and for the partition of the property. The trial court made findings of fact and concluded the deed should be set aside, and rendered judgment accordingly. The defendants have appealed.
The findings may be summarized as follows: Clarence L. Gray and Ralph Gray were brothers. Their mother died November 24, 1932, and- by her will devised to them the land in controversy, share and share alike. Because of some domestic differences Clarence L. Gray and his wife, Vina V. Gray, in May, 1931, had executed an agreement by which she was to have certain household goods and $350, which he was to pay her, and the custody of their minor child, Clarence DeVere Gray. This agreement obviously was in contemplation of divorce, which neither of them obtained, or applied for; it did not attempt to settle as between them right of inheritance. After this agreement was executed Clarence L. Gray and his wife did not live together as husband and wife, except for about a week, before he was taken to the hospital at Salina early in December, 1932. During that week she cared- for him at her home. She had him taken to the hospital and visited him almost daily while he was there, and also at the home of his brother Ralph, where he was taken from the hospital, until his death, January 17, 1933. After
The defendants, Ralph Gray and wife, moved for judgment in their favor on the findings of fact made by the court. The motion was denied. They contend this was error. They argue these findings show an oral express trust with respect to what Ralph Gray was to do with the land, and that such a trust can be created only in writing (R. S. 67-401). They point out that the deed contained covenants of general warranty; that Clarence L. Gray had sufficient mental capacity to know what he was doing when it was executed, and that no false or fraudulent statements or representation were made by Ralph Gray to induce Clarence L. Gray and wife to execute the deed. They cite and rely on Gee v. Thrailkill, 45 Kan. 173, 25 Pac. 588, and allied cases; Rogers v. Richards, 67 Kan. 706, 74 Pac. 255; Blackwell v. Blackwell, 88 Kan. 495, 129 Pac. 173; Engelbrecht v. Herrington, 103 Kan. 21, 172 Pac. 715, and Vaughn v. Cass, 131 Kan. 837, 293 Pac. 487.
This argument overlooks the 'fiduciary relation of the parties found by the court, by reason of which a trust is implied, which need not be in writing under the statute cited. (Rayl v. Rayl, 58 Kan. 585, 50 Pac. 501.) In Miller v. Henderson, 140 Kan. 46, 33 P. 2d 1098, it was held:
“A fiduciary relation may exist in cases where there had been a special confidence reposed in one who in equity and good conscience is bound to act in good faith and with due regard to the interests of the one reposing the confidence.” (Syl. ¶ 1.)
See, also, Lindholm v. Nelson, 125 Kan. 223, 264 Pac. 50, and authorities cited in these cases.
Here the court found facts which established such a relation. Clarence was in the later stages of a prolonged and fatal illness. Obviously. his business at Junction City had not been especially prosperous, for he was in debt there. He had become incapacitated for transacting business. He turned first to his estranged wife, who took him in, cared for him for a time, then took him to a hospital, where he could receive care. But his financial obligations and incurring expenses worried him. Less than a month before his
In the Silvers case the court, with extraordinary diligence in the examination of authorities and clarity in pointing out distinctions, treated the question with a fullness which need not here be undertaken. Ralph Gray paid nothing for the title to this land, and apparently is in no position to do so. To set aside this deed places him in no worse position than he was before it was executed.
We see no error in the record. The judgment of the court'below is affirmed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Vina V. Gray, and Clarence DeVere Gray, a Minor, by Vina V. Gray, His Next Friend v. Ralph Gray and Pearl Gray
- Status
- Published