Marvel v. Marvel
Marvel v. Marvel
Opinion of the Court
Opinion of the Court by
Reversing on original and cross-appeal.
On February 3rd, 1913, John R. Marvel and Sarah E. Marvel entered into the following contract:
“Whereas, John R. Marvel and Sarah E. Marvel, his wife, having separated for reasons not necessary to state herein, and now for the purpose of settling their property rights, in order to avoid the expense and vexations of a law suit, do make and agree to the following-settlement, viz.: The said John R. Marvel agrees in consideration of fifteen hundred dollars, paid and to be paid as follows, viz., $500.00 in cash, balance of $1,000.00 to be paid in six months from date hereof, and the further consideration of one mare, black in color & named Bess, does in consideration of the above cash and property agree this day to make to the said Sarah E. Marvel a deed of conveyance to his land and all the personal property owned by them at this date, except one bed and bedding for same, sufficient to keep him comfortable, and it is further agreed and understood that in tho*603 event either party brings suit for a divorce, the complainant is to pay all costs of same, including attorneys’ fees and cost of court. And it is further agreed that this settlement is to settle all matters by and between the parties hereto, and the Shewmaker family in general of all matters growing out of this trouble, or connected therewith.”
Pursuant to the contract, John B. Marvel executed to Sarah E. Marvel a deed conveying the property embraced in the contract. This deed was placed in the custody of J. Gr. Eochester, an attorney, as agent for both parties. Sarah E. Marvel tendered to Eochester the cash payment of $500.00 and a note for the balance of $1,000.00, but Eochester, at the instance of John E. Marvel declined to turn over the deed to Sarah Marvel. John E. Marvel, after the execution of the contract, continued to assert an interest in the property involved and began to interfere with his wife in the control of her household affairs. Thereupon she brought this action for a divorce, and also asked that he be enjoined from interfering with her in the possession of the property and from selling or disposing of it or placing any lien thereon, and that she be adjudged the owner of the property conveyed to her. John B. Marvel not only resisted the divorce, but sought to have the contract set aside. On final hearing the divorce was granted and plaintiff’s title to the property quieted, and a permanent injunction, in accordance with the prayer of the petition, was granted. Plaintiff was adjudged to pay one-half of the costs of the action and a fee of $225.00 to defendant’s attorney for resisting the divorce. Plaintiff appeals and defendant prosecutes a cross-appeal.
The only ground on which plaintiff asks a reversal is that the chancellor erred in requiring her to pay the fee of defendant’s attorney. A decision of the question turns on the proper interpretation of the contract. On this point the contract provides:
“* * * And it is further agreed and understood that in the event either party brings suit for a divorce, the complainant is to pay all costs of same, including attorneys’ fees and cost of court.”
Defendant insists that plaintiff cannot reap the benefits of the contract and at the same time reject that portion which is to her disadvantage. It is argued that
One of the grounds urged for reversal on the cross-appeal is that the judgment confirming plaintiff’s title to the property conveyed to her by defendant did not secure to defendant the payment of the consideration expressed in the contract. Plaintiff insists this was not error, in view of the tender made to defendant’s attorney, and the further fact that she is ready, willing and able to pay the same at any time, and that all defendant has to do is to stretch out his hand and receive the money or institute an action to recover it. The effect of the judgment, however, is* to deprive defendant of the property without securing in any way the consideration moving from the plaintiff. His rights should not be made to depend either on the voluntary action of plaintiff or the necessity of bringing an additional suit. They should have been fixed by the judgment appealed from. The judgment should have provided that it was not to take effect until the consideration was paid or secured by lien on the property.
Judgment reversed both on the original and cross appeal. Judge Nunn not sitting.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.