Aichlmayr v. Lynch
Aichlmayr v. Lynch
Opinion of the Court
Plaintiff appeals from a favorable judgment, against defendant in his sole and separate capacity, seeking to include therein defendant’s interest in his marital community property.
Tortious conduct by the husband, committed in the management of, or for the benefit of, the marital community, renders the community liable under a theory of respondeat superior, and not because of the fact of the tort-feasor’s marital relationship with his spouse. Smith v. Retallick, 48 Wn.2d 360, 293 P.2d 745 (1956); LaFramboise v. Schmidt, 42 Wn.2d 198, 254 P.2d 485 (1953); McHenry v. Short, 29 Wn.2d 263, 186 P.2d 900 (1947); Bergman v. State, 187 Wash. 622, 60 P.2d 699, 106 A.L.R. 1007 (1936); Benson v. Bush, 3 Wn. App. 777, 477 P.2d 929 (1970). The claims of alienation of affection of another man’s wife, or the commission of criminal conversation with her, bear no relation to the tort-feasor’s bona fide management of community property or to any benefit of the community. See DePhillips v. Neslin, 139 Wash. 51, 245 P. 749 (1926).
Appreciating the tenuousness of the benefit-management theory in the instant case, plaintiff invites us to modify our community property law so that defendant’s interest in community property may be reached to satisfy the separate judgment against him. (See McDonald v. Senn, 53 N.M. 198, 204 P.2d 990 (1949); United States v. Overman, 424 F.2d 1142 (9th Cir. 1970); 13 Wayne L. Rev. 706, 720 (1967).) We decline the invitation. The change plaintiff desires is more properly a legislative matter.
Judgment affirmed.
Evans, J., concurs.
Concurring Opinion
(concurring) — I concur in the result since it is consistent with the existing law of this state. However, I
Petition for rehearing denied March 13, 1972.
Review denied by Supreme Court April 24, 1972.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Anthony F. Aichlmayr, Appellant, v. Patrick S. Lynch, M.D., Respondent
- Cited By
- 5 cases
- Status
- Published