Perkins v. Scott
Perkins v. Scott
Opinion of the Court
Opinion by
We perceive no error in the judgment below as to the priority of liens between the appellee, Berry, and the appellant, Perkins. The improvements were placed on the lot prior to March, 1880, but with money belonging to the debtor and with a view of protecting him as against his creditors. That the conveyancé to the wife was fraudulent is clearly shown, and that all the estate of the debtor is placed upon it in the shape of improvements would indicate a purpose to defraud not only pre-existing creditors, but those whose debts were subsequently created. It is difficult to say when the improvement was furnished, and the interval between its completion and the creation of the small debt was of such short duration, the purpose to defraud being clearly shown, that the chancellor acted properly in making his judgment embrace the three notes of the appellee, Berry. The averments of the petition authorize the proof in regard to the improvements and sustain the judgment.
H. W. Scott, who as between himself and J. W. Scott was the mere surety in the large note, being a' party to the action and having paid off the debt to secure which the property had been attached, was entitled to be substituted to the rights of Berry. General Statutes, 1883, ch. 104, § 9, has no application to the principle involved in this case. This statute enlarges the remedy of the surety who pays off the judgment by giving him a right to an assignment of the judgment, that he may sue out execution or control it for his own benefit.
It prevents a multiplicity of suits by giving to the surety the
It is claimed that H. W. Scott, in filing his pleading asking for subrogation, failed to have a summons served on J. W. Scott, and therefore Perkins, the junior attaching creditor, has the preference over him. J. W. Scott, the real debtor, is satisfied with the judgment. He is not complaining, and the appellant, Perkins, can not complain for him, when the record shows that both of the Scotts were parties to the original action, and the one being secondarily liable having paid the debt was substituted co the rights of the plaintiff. Perkins had the right to litigate the question of priority in the court below, and did assert his lien over that of H. W. Scott; and on the facts, the equitable right to subrogation being clearly shown, we perceive no reason for reversing a judgment in behalf of one who seems to be satisfied with it, and at the instance of a party who from the facts of the record could not be entitled to the relief he claims.
The conveyance from J. B. Scott to his brother, T. P. Scott, was not fraudulent. J. B. Scott had paid nothing for the realty conveyed to him by his father. The consideration for the deed from the father to him, was that the latter would live with and aid him in his declining years, and J. B. Scott having left his father, the latter agreed that he should make the deed to T. P. Scott upon a like consideration. These parties all swear to the arrangement. Nor is it unreasonable that such a transaction should take place; and the son having acted in making the conveyance to his brother in accordance with his contract, and never having paid any considera
The judgment is therefore affirmed on the original and cross-appeal.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.