Neal v. Neal , 153 Ga. 276 ( 1922 )

Gilbert, J.

1. The verdict and decree being against the prayer for cancellation, it is useless to pass upon the special grounds of the motion for a new trial, which complain of rulings adverse to movant on that issue. Likewise it is useless to rule upon the same issue raised by demurrer and exception preserved.

2. The petition was sufficient to set out a cause of action for some equitable relief. The general demurrer to the petition as a whole was properly overruled.

3. The deed conveys a fee-simple title to the grantee named therein, reserving to the grantor during his natural life “ a reasonable support ” out of the property. Where the grantee in such deed takes and retains possession of the property and the rents and profits arising therefrom, said grantee is bound to account for such “ reasonable support ” during the life of the grantor, so long as the grantee retains such possession.

4. Where, as in this ease, according to the undisputed evidence, the grantor and the grantee were husband and wife living together as such on the land, cultivating it as a farm and using the personal property as incident thereto, under the terms of the deed the grantee was not obligated to retain possession of the property, to manage the same, and to account for the reasonable support of the husband out of the rents and profits; but if the grantee did retain exclusive possession and management of such property and did retain the rents and profits arising therefrom, she is bound to account to the grantor out of the proceeds for a reasonable support according to the terms of the conveyance.

5. Applying the principles announced above, the evidence authorized the verdict and judgment against the defendant and in favor of the plaintiff for the sum of $400, less $50 paid by the defendant as a support for the year 1920. The judgment overruling the motion for a new trial will be affirmed, with direction that the decree be reformed by striking therefrom all portions except for a money judgment such as we have held to be authorized by the evidence.

■Judgment affirmed, with direction.

All the Justices concur.

The defendant demurred to tire petition, upon the grounds (a) that it does not allege that petitioner had tendered back to defendant the benefits he received under the deed which he seeks to have canceled, and he is therefore seeking the aid of a court of equity without offering to do equity, and his petition should be dismissed; and that the allegations of the petition show that since executing and delivering the deed he has ratified the same, and therefore has no legal or equitable cause for its cancellation; (b) that petitioner has an adequate remedy at law; (c) that the facts alleged do not warrant the granting of injunction and appointment of receiver as prayed. These demurrers were overruled, and error is assigned upon exceptions taken pendente lite.

The trial of the case resulted in the finding by the jury that the deed should not be canceled; that from the income from the property petitioner should receive $400 per year from February 1, 1920, less $50 which had been paid since February 1, 1920. The court entered a decree. A motion for new trial filed by the defendant was overruled, and she excepted.

L. D. McGregor, for plaintiff in error. B. P. & J. Cecil Davis, contra.