Rogers v. Heath

Michigan Supreme Court
Rogers v. Heath, 48 Mich. 583 (Mich. 1882)
12 N.W. 862; 1882 Mich. LEXIS 893
Campbell, Other

Rogers v. Heath

Opinion of the Court

Campbell, J.

Plaintiff sues for a balance due him for services in the litigation connected with the controversy of Heath v. Waters 40 Mich. 457, formerly disposed of in this court. The defendants are the former administratrix of Elijah Waters, and two of his children and legatees. The court below found that Mr. Rogers had a meritorious claim., but that he could not recover in this action.

*584In this the ruling was correct. This is a suit at law, and can only be made out by a joint obligation. .The fact that several parties may have received benefit directly or indirectly from his services does not put them on a footing of joint parties or contractors. We find nothing to indicate a joint obligation or liability. The suit must be brought against some one who has expressly or impliedly become hound to pay plaintiff for his services. The children clearly, as minors, could not have incurred any obligation of that kind on which a suit in assumpsit would lie; neither could they possibly have become joint debtors with the administratrix.

While it is plain enough that Mr. Rogers should be paid, this action cannot be sustained to enforce payment.

The judgment must be affirmed with costs.

The other Justices concurred.

Reference

Full Case Name
James A. Rogers v. Merica E. Heath adm'x
Status
Published