Crisler v. Citizens Fidelity Bank & Trust Co.
Crisler v. Citizens Fidelity Bank & Trust Co.
Opinion of the Court
These appeals arise from an order of the Jefferson Circuit Court dismissing Conchi-ta Crisler’s complaint against Citizens Fidelity Bank and Trust Company (Citizens) and Citizens’ third-party complaint against Kenneth R. Crisler.
The facts are these: On May 7, 1971, Sherrell and Sarah Nunnelley executed a note and mortgage in the amount of $3,500 to Prudential Building and Loan Association of Louisville, Kentucky. The mortgage covered the Nunnelley residence located in Louisville. On April 22, 1975, the Nunnelleys conveyed their residence to Kenneth R. Crisler and Conchita Crisler, his wife. The deed recognized the Prudential mortgage and provided “the parties of the second part [the Crislers] hereby assume and agree to pay” same.
On October 23, 1975, Prudential’s receiver assigned the Nunnelleys’ note and mortgage to Citizens Fidelity Bank and Trust Company.
We think the case of Commonwealth Life Ins. Co. v. Eline, 274 Ky. 539, 119 S.W.2d 637 (1938), is controlling. In that case, it was stated:
It is a firmly established doctrine in this and a great majority of other states that a purchaser of lands encumbered with a mortgage or other lien who assumes and agrees to pay or satisfy the lien indebtedness on the property purchased becomes personally and primarily liable therefor and liability under the assumption agreement inures to the mortgagee or lien holder who by appropriate action in his own name may enforce same. [Authorities omitted.] Id. at 639.
Appellant contends Citizens’ recovery against her is improper because of KRS 355.3-401(1) which provides that “[n]o person is liable on an instrument unless his signature appears thereon.” This section is not applicable. Citizens’ rights do not stem from the note but from the assumption provision in the Nunnelley deed.
In view of our decision in Conchita’s appeal, the dismissal of Citizens’ third-party complaint was proper.
For the foregoing reasons, the judgment of the Jefferson Circuit Court is affirmed.
All concur.
. Actually, the assignment went to Citizen's Fidelity Bank and Trust Company d/b/a Laclede Mortgage Company.
. No direct contention is made regarding Citizens’ right to set-off. Rather, the contention is made that Conchita is not at all obligated to Citizens by virtue of the deed from the Nunnel-leys.
.Citizens filed a third-party complaint against Kenneth R. Crisler, praying for indemnity and contribution.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.