Wells v. Lewis
Wells v. Lewis
Opinion of the Court
This is an appeal from a decree in a partnership accounting, wherein the plaintiff, Dr. Wells, appeals and the defendants, Doctors Lewis and Stenberg, cross-appeal from the decree.
The parties are doctors engaged in the practice of medicine at Hood River, Oregon. Prom April 15, 1947, to July 1, 1950, Doctors Lewis and Wells were co-partners. On the last date a new partnership was formed which included the defendant Dr. Stenberg. The latter agreed to pay for his one-third interest in the partnership $17,616.84, payable over a period of five years from his share of the earnings, in varying amounts, annually, together with interest at 6 per cent.
The new partnership created as of July 1, 1950, continued to April 1,1956, when it was dissolved upon written notice jointly given by Doctors Lewis and Stenberg. Subsequent to that time, the last two named persons have continued their medical practice on the premises previously occupied by the three parties to the appeal.
By stipulation of April 6, 1956, Doctors Lewis and Stenberg retained and used the original office and medical equipment and fixtures and therein valued at $8,000, less equipment taken by Dr. Wells of the value of $810.88. Doctors Lewis and Stenberg also
By the stipulation of April 6, 1956, the collections of accounts receivable made by the parties were to be deposited in The First National Bank of Portland, Hood River Branch, in a joint account to the credit of these doctors, and there held awaiting final partnership settlement. As of the date of the decree, $59,086.02 had been accumulated in this account from that source, made through the offices of Doctors Lewis and Stenberg. No question arises as to these collections, except as to the amount to be allowed to Doctors Lewis and Stenberg for this service. The trial court placed the figure at $2,500 as a reasonable charge. Dr. Wells claims that Doctors Lewis and Stenberg are entitled to no fee, and the latter claim they should have credit for an amount substantially in excess of $2,500. We find that $2,500 allowed by the court is fair and reasonable compensation.
The record discloses that notwithstanding that the stipulation contemplated that all collections made should have been deposited in the bank, Dr. Wells collected $791.75, which, as of the date of the decree, he had failed to place in the joint bank account. If he has since failed to do so, this amount should be charged against his interest on final distribution of the assets.
Dr. Wells directs our attention to Paragraph VII of the Conclusions of Law which holds that Dr. Sten
It is the contention of the defendants, Doctors Lewis and Stenberg, on their cross-appeal that the trial court erred in failing to debit the distributive share of Dr. Wells in the amount of $1,223.14, as being the sum of withdrawals made by Dr. Wells from the partnership capital and profits in excess of those made by Dr. Lewis, whose rights in this respect were at parity with those of Dr. Wells. We find that this assignment is well taken. It is supported by plaintiff’s Exhibit 1 (p 5); Exhibit 5, the partnership general ledger; and Exhibit 9, monthly operating statements, all kept or made by Mr. John Arens, who was the partnership accountant during the existence of the partnership and in whom all parties apparently repose great confidence.
Relying on Wickstrom v. Davis, 211 Or 254, 315 P2d 597, Dr. Wells seeks to surcharge Doctors Lewis and Stenberg with interest on the value of his undivided one-third interest in the equipment and supplies retained by them on dissolution. By the same token, he would have to pay interest on the portion retained by him. But we read the stipulation of the parties made on April 6,1956, as an authorized partial distribution of the assets to the several partners as to the supplies and equipment retained or taken and, therefore, decline to add any interest charge for the period since such division was made. The decree, however, by Paragraphs 6 and 7 correctly charges or credits, as the case may be, the values of these properties as between the doctors for the properties involved in that distribution.
Because of apparent equitable considerations we decline to assess any other interest charges as may have been requested by any of the parties.
We find no merit in any of the other assignments of error advanced by plaintiff or the defendants as cross-appellants other than those to which we have above made reference.
Except as modified by this opinion, the decree of the trial court will be affirmed. Each party will pay his own costs.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.